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THE  PILOT 


LIBRARY 
OF  THE 
UNIVERSE  OF  ILLINOIS 


THE  WORKS 

OF 

James  Fenimore  Cooper 

THE  PILOT 
A  TALE  OF  THE  SEA 


C  P.  PUTNAM-S  SONS 

NEW  YORK.  AND  LONDON 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/detaiIs/pilottaleofseaOOcoop_0 


TO 


WILLIAM  BRANFORD  SHUBRICK,  ESQ. 


My  Dear  Shubrick  : 

Each  year  brings  some  new  and  melancholy  chasm  in  what  is  now 
the  brief  list  of  my  naval  friends  and  former  associates.  War,  dis- 
ease, and  the  casualties  of  a  hazardous  profession,  have  made  fearful 
inroads  in  the  limited  number ;  while  the  places  of  the  dead  are 
supplied  by  names  that  to  me  are  those  of  strangers.  With  the 
consequences  of  these  sad  changes  before  me,  I  cherish  the  recollec- 
tion of  those  with  whom  I  once  lived  in  close  familiarity,  with 
peculiar  interest,  and  feel  a  triumph  in  their  growing  reputations, 
that  is  but  little  short  of  their  own  honest  pride. 

But  neither  time  nor  separation  has  shaken  our  intimacy  :  and  I 
know  that  in  dedicating  to  you  this  volume,  I  tell  you  nothing  new, 
when  I  add,  that  it  is  a  tribute  paid  to  an  enduring  friendship,  by 


U.  S.  NAVY. 


Your  old  Messmate, 


THB  AUTHOR. 


1^ 

^ 


I 


PREFACE. 


IT  is  probable  a  true  history  of  buman  events  would 
show  that  a  far  larger  proportion  of  our  acts  are  the 
results  of  sudden  impulses  and  accident,  than  of  that 
reason  of  which  we  so  much  boast.    However  true, 
or  false,  this  opinion  may  be  in  more  important  matters,  it 
is  certainly  and  strictly  correct  as  relates  to  the  conception 
and  execution  of  this  book. 

The  Pilot  was  published  in  1823.  This  was  not  long 
after  the  appearance  of  The  Pirate,  a  work,  which  it  is 
hardly  necessary  to  remind  the  reader,  has  a  direct  connec- 
tion with  the  sea.  In  a  conversation  with  a  friend,  a  man 
of  polished  taste  and  extensive  reading,  the  authorship  of 
the  Scottish  novels  came  under  discussion.  The  claims  of 
Sir  Walter  were  a  little  distrusted  on  account  of  the  pecu- 
liar and  minute  information  that  the  romances  were  then 
very  generally  thought  to  display.  The  Pirate  was  cited 
as  a  very  marked  instance  of  this  universal  knowledge,  and 
it  was  wondered  where  a  man  of  Scott's  habits  and  associa- 
tions could  have  become  so  familiar  with  the  sea.  The 
writer  had  frequently  observed  that  there  was  much  loose- 
ness in  this  universal  knowledge,  and  that  the  secret  of  its 
success  was  to  be  traced  to  the  power  of  creating  that 
vraisemblance,  which  is  so  remarkably  exhibited  in  those 
world-renowned  fictions,  rather  than  to  any  very  accurate 
information  on  the  part  of  their  author.  It  would  have 
been  hypercritical  to  object  to  The  Pirate^  that  it  was  not 
strictly  nautical,  or  true  in  its  details;  but,  when  the  reverse 


vi 


IPreface 


was  urged  as  a  proof  of  what,  considering  the  character 
of  other  portions  of  the  work,  would  have  been  most 
extraordinary  attainments,  it  was  a  sort  of  provocation  to 
dispute  the  seamanship  of  The  Pirate,  ?.  quaHty  to  which 
the  book  has  certainly  very  little  just  pretension.  The 
result  of  this  conversation  was  a  sudden  determination  to 
produce  a  work  which,  if  it  had  no  other  merit,  might 
present  truer  pictures  of  the  ocean  and  ships  than  any  that 
are  to  be  found  in  The  Pirate.  To  this  unpremeditated 
decision,  purely  an  impulse,  is  not  only  The  Pilot  due,  but 
a  tolerably  numerous  school  of  nautical  romances  that  have 
succeeded  it. 

The  author  had  many  misgivings  concerning  the  success 
of  the  undertaking,  after  he  had  made  some  progress  in  the 
work ;  the  opinions  of  his  different  friends  being  anything 
but  encouraging.  One  would  declare  that  the  sea  could  not 
be  made  interesting ;  that  it  was  tame,  monotonous,  and 
without  any  other  movement  than  unpleasant  storms,  and 
that,  for  his  part,  the  less  he  got  of  it  the  better.  The 
women  very  generally  protested  that  such  a  book  would 
have  the  odor  of  bilge-water,  and  that  it  would  give  them 
the  maladie  de  mer.  Not  a  single  individual  among  all 
those  who  discussed  the  merits  of  the  project,  within  the 
range  of  the  author's  knowledge,  either  spoke,  or  looked, 
encouragingly.  It  is  probable  that  all  these  persons  antici- 
pated a  signal  failure. 

So  very  discouraging  did  these  ominous  opinions  get  to 
be,  that  the  writer  was  once  or  twice  tempted  to  throw  his 
manuscript  aside,  and  turn  to  something  new.  A  favorable 
opinion,  however,  coming  from  a  very  unexpected  quarter, 
put  a  new  face  on  the  matter,  and  raised  new  hopes. 
Among  the  intimate  friends  of  the  writer,  was  an  English- 
man, who  possessed  most  of  the  peculiar  qualities  of  the 
educated  of  his  country.  He  was  learned  even,  had  a  taste 
that  was  so  just  as  always  to  command  respect,  but  was 
prejudiced,  and  particularly  so  in  all  that  related  to  this 
country  and  its  literature.  He  could  never  be  persuaded  to 
admire  Bryant's  Water- Fowl,"  and  this  mainly  because,  if 
it  were  accepted  as  good  poetry,  it  must  be  placed  at  onc« 


IPreface 


vii 


among  the  finest  fugitive  pieces  of  the  language.  Of  the 
"  Thanatopsis ' '  he  thought  better,  though  incHned  to  suspect 
it  of  being  a  plagiarism.  To  the  tender  mercies  of  this  one- 
sided critic,  who  had  never  affected  to  compliment  the 
previous  works  of  the  :iuthor,  the  sheets  of  a  volume  of 
The  Pilot  were  committed,  with  scarce  an  expectation  of 
his  liking  them.  The  reverse  proved  to  be  the  case ;  he 
expressed  himself  highly  gratified,  and  predicted  a  success 
for  the  book  which  it  probably  never  attained. 

Thus  encouraged,  one  more  experiment  was  made,  a  sea- 
man being  selected  for  the  critic.  A  kinsman,  a  namesake, 
and  an  old  messmate  of  the  author,  one  now  in  command  on 
a  foreign  station,  was  chosen,  and  a  considerable  portion  of 
the  first  volume  was  read  to  him.  There  is  no  wish  to  con- 
ceal the  satisfaction  with  which  the  effect  on  this  listener 
was  observed.  He  treated  the  whole  matter  as  fact,  and  his 
criticisms  were  strictly  professional,  and  perfectly  just.  But 
the  interest  he  betrayed  could  not  be  mistaken.  It  gave  a 
perfect  and  most  gratifying  assurance  that  the  work  would 
be  more  likely  to  find  favor  with  nautical  men,  than  with 
any  other  class  of  readers. 

The  Pilot  could  scarcely  be  a  favorite  with  females.  The 
story  has  little  interest  for  them,  nor  was  it  much  heeded  by 
the  author  of  the  book,  in  the  progress  of  his  labors.  His 
aim  was  to  illustrate  vessels  and  the  ocean,  rather  than  to 
draw  any  pictures  of  sentiment  and  love.  In  this  last  re- 
spect, the  book  has  small  claims  on  the  reader's  attention, 
though  it  is  hoped  that  the  story  has  sufficient  interest  to 
relieve  the  more  strictly  nautical  features  of  the  work. 

It  would  be  affectation  to  deny  that  The  Pilot  met  with 
a  most  unlooked-for  success.  The  novelty  of  the  design 
probably  contributed  a  large  share  of  this  result.  Sea-tales 
came  into  vogue,  as  a  consequence ;  and,  as  every  practi- 
cal part  of  knowledge  has  its  uses,  something  has  been 
gained  by  letting  the  landsman  into  the  secrets  of  the  sea- 
man's manner  of  life.  Perhaps,  in  some  small  degree,  an 
interest  has  been  awakened  in  behalf  of  a  very  numerous, 
and  what  has  hitherto  been  a  sort  of  proscribed  class  of  men, 
that  may  directly  tend  to  a  melioration  of  their  condition. 


viii 


preface 


It  is  not  easy  to  make  the  public  comprehend  all  the 
necessities  of  a  service  afloat.  With  several  hundred  rude 
beings  confined  within  the  narrow  limits  of  a  vessel,  men 
of  all  nations  and  of  the  lowest  habits,  it  would  be  to  the 
last  degree  indiscreet  to  commence  their  reformation  by- 
relaxing  the  bonds  of  discipline,  under  the  mistaken  im- 
pulses of  a  false  philanthropy.  It  has  a  lofty  sound,  to  be 
sure,  to  talk  about  American  citizens  being  too  good  to  be 
brought  under  the  lash,  upon  the  high  seas ;  but  he  must 
have  a  very  mistaken  notion  who  does  not  see  that  tens 
of  thousands  of  these  pretending  persons  on  shore,  even, 
would  be  greatly  benefited  by  a  little  judicious  flogging. 
It  is  the  judgment  in  administering,  and  not  the  mode  of 
punishment,  that  requires  to  be  looked  into  ;  and,  in  this 
respect,  there  has  certainly  been  a  great  improvement  of 
late  years.  It  is  seldom,  indeed,  that  any  institution, 
practice,  or  system,  is  improved  by  the  blind  interference 
of  those  who  know  nothing  about  it.  Better  would  it  be 
to  trust  to  the  experience  of  those  who  have  long  governed 
turbulent  men,  than  to  the  impulsive  experiments  of  those 
who  rarely  regard  more  than  one  side  of  a  question,  and 
that  the  most  showy  and  glittering  :  having,  quite  half  of 
the  time,  some  selfish  personal  end  to  answer. 

There  is  an  uneasy  desire  among  a  vast  many  well-dis- 
posed persons  to  get  the  fruits  of  the  Christian  faith,  with- 
out troubling  themselves  about  the  faith  itself.  This  is 
done  under  the  sanction  of  Peace  Societies,  Temperance 
and  Moral  Reform  Societies,  in  which  the  end  is  too  often 
mistaken  for  the  means.  When  the  Almighty  sent  his  Son 
on  earth,  it  was  to  point  out  the  way  in  which  all  this  was 
to  be  brought  about,  by  means  of  the  Church  ;  but  men 
have  so  frittered  away  that  body  of  divine  organization, 
through  their  divisions  and  subdivisions,  all  arising  from 
human  conceit,  that  it  is  no  longer  regarded  as  the  agency 
it  was  so  obviously  intended  to  be,  and  various  contrivances 
are  to  be  employed  as  substitutes  for  that  which  proceeded 
directly  from  the  Son  of  God  ! 

Among  the  efforts  of  the  day,  however,  there  is  one  con- 
nected with  the  moral  improvement  of  the  sailor  that  com- 


preface 


mands  our  profound  respect.  Cut  off  from  most  of  the 
charities  of  life,  for  so  large  a  portion  of  his  time,  deprived 
altogether  of  association  with  the  gentler  and  better  portions 
of  the  other  sex,  and  living  a  man  in  a  degree  proscribed, 
amid  the  many  signs  of  advancement  that  distinguish  the 
age,  it  was  time  that  he  should  be  remembered  and  singled 
out,  and  become  the  subject  of  combined  and  Christian 
philanthropy.  There  is  much  reason  to  believe  that  the 
effort,  now  making  in  the  right  direction  and  under  proper 
auspices,  will  be  successful  ;  and  that  it  will  cause  the  lash 
to  be  laid  aside  in  the  best  and  most  rational  manner, — by 
rendering  its  use  unnecessary. 

Coop:eRSTowN,  August  lo,  1849. 


THE  PILOT 


THE  PILOT 


CHAPTER  I. 

*'  Sullen  waves,  incessant  rolling, 
Rudely  dashed  against  her  sides." 

Song. 

ASINGIvK  glance  at  the  map  will  make  the  reader 
acquainted  with  the  position  of  the  eastern  coast 
of  the  Island  of  Great  Britain,  as  connected  with  the 
shores  of  the  opposite  continent.  Together  they 
form  the  boundaries  of  the  small  sea  that  has  for  ages  been 
known  to  the  world  as  the  scene  of  maritime  exploits,  and 
as  the  great  avenue  through  which  commerce  and  war  have 
conducted  the  fleets  of  the  northern  natious  of  Europe.  Over 
this  sea  the  islanders  long  asserted  a  jurisdiction,  exceeding 
that  which  reason  concedes  to  any  power  on  the  highway  of 
nations,  and  which  frequently  led  to  conflicts  that  caused  an 
expenditure  of  blood  and  treasure,  utterly  disproportioned  to 
the  advantages  that  can  ever  arise  from  the  maintenance  of 
a  useless  and  abstract  right.  It  is  across  the  waters  of  this 
disputed  ocean  that  we  shall  attempt  to  conduct  our  readers, 
selecting  a  period  for  our  incidents  that  has  a  peculiar  inter- 
est for  every  American,  not  only  because  it  was  the  birthday 
of  his  nation,  but  because  it  was  also  the  era  when  reason 
and  common-sense  began  to  take  the  place  of  custom  and 
feudal  practices  in  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  nations. 


2 


Ube  pilot 


Soon  after  the  events  of  the  Revolution  had  involved  the 
kingdoms  of  France  and  Spain,  and  the  republic  of  Hol- 
land, in  our  quarrel,  a  group  of  laborers  was  collected  in  a 
field  that  lay  exposed  to  the  winds  of  the  ocean,  on  the  north- 
eastern coast  of  England.  These  men  were  lightening  their 
toil,  and  cheering  the  gloom  of  a  day  in  December,  by  utter- 
ing their  crude  opinions  on  the  political  aspects  of  the  times. 
The  fact  that  England  was  engaged  in  a  war  with  some  of 
her  dependencies  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  had  long 
been  known  to  them,  after  the  manner  that  faint  rumors  of 
distant  and  uninteresting  events  gain  on  the  ear  ;  but  now 
that  nations,  with  whom  she  had  been  used  to  battle,  were 
armed  against  her  in  the  quarrel,  the  din  of  war  had  dis- 
turbed the  quiet  even  of  these  secluded  and  illiterate  rustics. 
The  principal  speakers,  on  the  occasion,  were  a  Scotch 
drover,  who  was  waiting  the  leisure  of  the  occupant  of  the 
fields,  and  an  Irish  laborer,  who  had  found  his  way  across  the 
Channel,  and  thus  far  over  the  island,  in  quest  of  employ- 
ment. 

"  The  nagurs  would  n't  have  been  a  job  at  all  for  ould  Eng- 
land, letting  alone  Ireland, ' '  said  the  latter,  ' '  if  these  French 
and  Spanishers  had  n't  been  troubling  themselves  in  the 
matter.  I  'm  sure  it  's  but  little  reason  I  have  for  thanking 
them,  if  a  man  is  to  kape  as  sober  as  a  priest  at  mass,  for 
fear  he  should  find  himself  a  souldier,  and  he  knowing 
nothing  about  the  same. 

Hoot !  mon  !  ye  ken  but  little  of  raising  an  airmy  in 
Ireland,  if  ye  mak'  a  drum  o'  a  whiskey  keg, ' '  said  the  dro- 
ver, winking  at  the  listeners.  * '  Noo,  in  the  north,  they  ca* 
a  gathering  of  the  folk,  and  follow  the  pipes  as  graciously 
as  ye  wad  journey  kirkward  o'  a  Sabbath  mom.  I  've  seen 
a'  the  names  o'  a  Heeland  raj'ment  on  a  sma'  bit  paper,  that 
ye  might  cover  wi'  a  leddy's  hand.  They  war'  a'  Camerons 
and  McDonalds,  though  they  paraded  sax  hundred  men  ! 
But  what  ha'  ye  gotten  here  !  That  chield  has  an  ow'r  lik- 
ing to  the  land  for  a  seafaring  body  ;  an'  if  the  bottom  o'  the 
sea  be  ony thing  like  the  top  o't,  he  's  in  gr'at  danger  o'  a 
shipwrack  ! ' ' 

This  unexpected  change  in  the  discourse  drew  all  eyes  oa 


XTbe  IPilot 


3 


the  object  towards  which  the  staff  of  the  observant  drover 
was  pointed.  To  the  utter  amazement  of  every  individual 
present,  a  small  vessel  was  seen  moving  slowly  roimd  a 
point  of  land  that  formed  one  of  the  sides  of  the  little  bay  to 
which  the  field  the  laborers  were  in  composed  the  other. 
There  was  something  very  peculiar  in  the  externals  of  this 
unusual  visitor,  which  added  in  no  small  degree  to  the  surprise 
created  by  her  appearance  in  that  retired  place.  None  but 
the  smallest  vessels,  and  those  rarely,  or,  at  long  intervals,  a 
desperate  smuggler,  were  ever  known  to  venture  so  close  to 
the  land,  amid  the  sand-bars  and  sunken  rocks  with  which 
that  immediate  coast  abounded.  The  adventurous  mariners 
who  now  attempted  this  dangerous  navigation  in  so  wanton, 
and,  apparently,  so  heedless  a  manner,  were  in  a  low  black 
schooner,  whose  hull  seemed  utterly  disproportioned  to  the 
raking  masts  it  upheld,  which,  in  their  turn,  supported  a 
lighter  set  of  spars,  that  tapered  away  until  their  upper  ex- 
tremities appeared  no  larger  than  the  lazy  pennant,  that  in 
vain  endeavored  to  display  its  length  in  the  light  breeze. 

The  short  day  of  that  high  northern  latitude  was  already 
drawing  to  a  close,  and  the  sun  was  throwing  his  parting 
rays  obliquely  across  the  waters,  touching  the  gloomy  waves 
here  and  there  with  streaks  of  pale  light.  The  stormy 
winds  of  the  German  Ocean  were  apparently  lulled  to  rest ; 
and,  though  the  incessant  rolling  of  the  surge  on  the  shore 
heightened  the  gloomy  character  of  the  hour  and  the  view, 
the  light  ripple  that  ruffled  the  sleeping  billov/s  was  pro- 
duced by  a  gentle  air,  that  blew  directly  from  the  land. 
Notwithstanding  this  favorable  circumstance,  there  was 
something  threatening  in  the  aspect  of  the  ocean,  which  was 
speaking  in  hollow  but  deep  murmurs,  like  a  volcano  on  the 
eve  of  an  eruption,  that  greatly  heightened  the  feelings  of 
amazement  and  dread  with  which  the  peasants  beheld  this 
extraordinary  interruption  to  the  quiet  of  their  little  bay. 
With  no  other  sails  spread  to  the  action  of  the  air  than  her 
heavy  mainsail,  and  one  of  those  light  jibs  that  projected  far 
beyond  her  bows,  the  vessel  glided  over  the  water  with  a 
grace  and  facility  that  seemed  magical  to  the  beholders,  who 
turned  their  wondering  looks  from  the  schooner  to  each  other 


4 


Ubc  mot 


In  silent  amazement.  At  length  the  drover  spoke  in  a  low 
solemn  voice  : — 

He 's  a  bold  chield  that  steers  her  !  and  if  that  bit  craft 
has  wood  in  her  bottom,  like  the  brigantines  that  ply  be- 
tween I^on'on  and  the  Frith  at  I^eith,  he  's  in  mair  danger 
than  a  prudent  man  cotdd  wish.  Ay  !  he  's  by  the  big  rock 
that  shows  his  head  when  the  tide  runs  low,  but  it  's  no 
mortal  man  can  steer  long  in  the  road  he 's  journeying  and 
not  speedily  find  land  wi'  water  a-top  o  't." 

The  little  schooner,  however,  still  held  her  way  among 
the  rocks  and  sand-pits,  making  such  slight  deviations  in 
her  course,  as  proved  her  to  be  under  the  direction  of  one 
who  knew  his  danger,  until  she  had  entered  as  far  into 
the  bay  as  prudence  could  at  all  justify,  when  her  canvas 
was  gathered  into  folds,  seemingly  without  the  agency  of 
hands,  and  the  vessel,  after  rolling  for  a  few  minutes 
on  the  long  billows  that  hove  in  from  the  ocean,  swung 
round  in  the  currents  of  the  tide,  and  was  held  by  her 
anchor. 

The  peasants  now  began  to  make  their  conjectures  more 
freely  concerning  the  character  and  object  of  their  visitor ; 
some  intimating  that  she  was  engaged  in  contraband  trade, 
and  others  that  her  views  were  hostile,  and  her  business 
war.  A  few  dark  hints  were  hazarded  on  the  materiality 
of  her  construction,  for  nothing  of  artificial  formation,  it 
was  urged,  would  be  ventured  by  men  in  such  a  dangerous 
place,  at  a  time  when  even  the  most  inexperienced  lands- 
man, was  enabled  to  foretell  the  certain  gale.  The  Scotch- 
man, who,  to  all  the  sagacity  of  his  countrymen,  added  no 
small  portion  of  their  superstition,  leaned  greatly  to  the 
latter  conclusion,  and  had  begun  to  express  this  sentiment 
warily  and  with  reverence,  when  the  child  of  Erin,  who 
appeared  not  to  possess  any  very  definite  ideas  on  the  sub- 
ject, interrupted  him  by  exclaiming — 

"Faith!  there's  two  of  them!  a  big  and  a  little!  sure 
the  bogles  of  the  saa  likes  good  company  the  same  as  any 
other  Christians  ! ' ' 

*  *  Twa  ! ' '  echoed  the  drover  ;  '  *  twa  !  ill  luck  bides  o' 
some  o'  ye.    Twa  craft  a-sailing  without  hand  to  guide 


Ube  pilot 


5 


them,  in  sic  a  place  as  this,  whar'  eyesight  is  na  guid  enough 
to  show  the  dangers,  bodes  evil  to  a'  that  luik  thereon. 
Hoot !  she  's  na  yearling,  the  tither  !  lyuik,  mon  !  luik  ! 
she  's  a  gallant  boat,  and  a  gr'at :  "  he  paused,  raised  his 
pack  from  the  ground,  and  first  giving  one  searching  look 
at  the  objects  of  his  suspicions,  he  nodded  with  great  saga- 
city to  the  listeners,  and  continued,  as  he  moved  slowly 
towards  the  interior  of  the  country,  ' '  I  should  na  wonder  if 
she  carried  King  George's  commission  about  her  :  weel, 
weel,  I  wull  journey  upward  to  the  town,  and  ha'  a  crack  wi* 
the  good  mon  ;  for  they  craft  have  a  suspeecious  aspect,  and 
the  sma'  bit  thing  wu'ld  nab  a  mon  quite  easy,  and  the  big 
ane  wu'ld  hold  us  a'  and  no  feel  we  war'  in  her." 

This  sagacious  warning  caused  a  general  movement  in 
the  party,  for  the  intelligence  of  a  hot  press  was  among  the 
rumors  of  the  times.  The  husbandmen  collected  their  im- 
plements of  labor,  and  retired  homewards ;  and  though 
many  a  curious  eye  was  bent  on  the  movements  of  the 
vessels  from  the  distant  hills,  but  very  few  of  those  not 
immediately  interested  in  the  mysterious  visitors  ventured  to 
approach  the  little  rocky  cliffs  that  lined  the  bay. 

The  vessel  that  occasioned  these  cautious  movements  was 
a  gallant  ship,  whose  huge  hull,  lofty  masts,  and  square 
yards,  loomed  in  the  evening's  haze,  above  the  sea,  like  a 
distant  mountain  rising  from  the  deep.  She  carried  but 
little  sail,  and  though  she  warily  avoided  the  near  approach 
to  the  land  that  the  schooner  had  attempted,  the  similarity 
of  their  movements  was  sufficiently  apparent  to  warrant  the 
conjecture  that  they  were  employed  on  the  same  duty.  The 
frigate,  for  the  ship  belonged  to  this  class  of  vessels,  floated 
across  the  entrance  of  the  little  bay,  majestically  in  the  tide, 
with  barely  enough  motion  through  the  water  to  govern  her 
movements,  until  she  arrived  opposite  to  the  place  where 
her  consort  lay,  when  she  hove  up  heavily  into  the  wind, 
squared  the  enormous  yards  on  her  mainmast,  and  at- 
tempted, in  counteracting  the  power  of  her  sails  by  each 
other,  to  remain  stationary ;  but  the  light  air  that  had 
at  no  time  swelled  her  heavy  canvas  to  the  utmost  began  to 
fail,  and  the  long  waves  that  rolled  in  from  the  ocean  ceased 


6 


Ube  mot 


to  be  ruffled  with  the  breeze  from  the  land.  The  currents 
and  the  billows  were  fast  sweeping  the  frigate  towards  one 
of  the  points  of  the  estuary,  where  the  black  heads  of  the 
rocks  could  be  seen  running  far  into  the  sea,  and,  in  their 
turn,  the  mariners  of  the  ship  dropped  an  anchor  to  the 
bottom,  and  drew  her  sails  in  festoons  to  the  yards.  As  the 
vessel  swung  round  to  the  tide,  a  heavy  ensign  was  raised 
to  her  peak,  and  a  current  of  air  opening,  for  a  moment,  its 
folds,  the  white  field  and  red  cross,  that  distinguished  the 
flag  of  England,  were  displayed  to  view.  So  much  even  the 
wary  drover  had  loitered  at  a  distance  to  behold  ;  but  when 
a  boat  was  launched  from  either  vessel,  he  quickened  his 
steps,  observing  to  his  wondering  and  amused  compan- 
ions, that  They  craft  were  a'thegither  mair  bonny  to  luik 
on  than  to  abide  wi'." 

A  numerous  crew  manned  the  barge  that  was  lowered 
from  the  frigate,  which,  after  receiving  an  officer,  with  an 
attendant  youth,  left  the  ship,  and  moved  with  a  measured 
stroke  of  its  oars,  directly  towards  the  head  of  the  bay.  As 
it  passed  at  a  short  distance  from  the  schooner,  a  light 
whale-boat,  pulled  by  four  athletic  men,  shot  from  her 
side,  and  rather  dancing  over  than  cutting  through  the 
waves,  crossed  her  course  with  a  wonderful  velocity.  As  the 
boats  approached  each  other,  the  men,  in  obedience  to  sig- 
nals from  their  officers,  suspended  their  efforts,  and  for  a  few 
minutes  they  floated  at  rest,  during  which  time  there  was 
the  following  dialogue  : — 

' '  Is  the  old  man  mad  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  young  officer  in 
the  whale-boat,  when  his  men  had  ceased  rowing  ;  ' '  does  he 
think  that  the  bottom  of  the  Ariel  is  made  of  iron,  and  that 
a  rock  can't  knock  a  hole  in  it !  or  does  he  think  she  is 
manned  with  alligators,  who  can't  be  drowned  !  " 

A  languid  smile  played  for  a  moment  round  the  handsome 
features  of  the  young  man,  who  was  rather  reclining  than 
sitting  in  the  stern-sheets  of  the  barge,  as  he  replied, — 

"  He  knows  your  prudence  too  well.  Captain  Barnstable, 
to  fear  either  the  wreck  of  your  vessel  or  the  drowning  of 
her  crew.    How  near  the  bottom  does  your  keel  lie  ?  " 

*^  I  am  afraid  to  sound."  returned  Barnstable.    "I  have 


Ube  pilot 


7 


never  a  heart  to  touch  a  lead-line  when  I  see  the  rocks  com- 
ing up  to  breathe  like  so  many  porpoises." 

'  *  You  are  afloat ! ' '  exclaimed  the  other,  with  a  vehemence 
that  denoted  an  abundance  of  latent  fire. 

' '  Afloat !  ' '  echoed  his  friend  ;  *  *  ay  !  the  little  Ariel 
would  float  in  air!"  As  he  spoke,  he  rose  in  the  boat, 
and  lifting  his  leathern  sea-cap  from  his  head,  stroked  back 
the  thick  clusters  of  black  locks  which  shadowed  his  sun- 
burnt countenance,  while  he  viewed  his  little  vessel  with 
the  complacency  of  a  seaman  who  was  proud  of  her  qualities. 
"But  it's  close  work,  Mr.  Griffith,  when  a  man  rides  to  a 
single  anchor  in  a  place  like  this,  and  at  such  a  night-fall. 
What  are  the  orders  ? ' ' 

' '  I  shall  pull  into  the  surf  and  let  go  a  grapnel ;  you  will 
take  Mr.  Merry  into  your  whale-boat,  and  try  to  drive  her 
through  the  breakers  on  the  beach." 

' '  Beach  ! ' '  retorted  Barnstable  ;  * '  do  you  call  a  perpen- 
dicular rock  of  a  hundred  feet  in  height  a  beach  ! ' ' 

''We  shall  not  dispute  about  terms,"  said  Griffith,  smil- 
ing, '  *  but  you  must  manage  to  get  on  the  shore ;  we  have 
seen  the  signal  from  the  land,  and  know  that  the  pilot, 
whom  we  have  so  long  expected,  is  ready  to  come  off". ' ' 

Barnstable  shook  his  head  with  a  grave  air,  as  he  mut- 
tered to  himself,  ' '  This  is  droll  navigation ;  first  we  run 
into  an  unfrequented  bay  that  is  full  of  rocks,  and  sand-pits, 
and  shoals,  and  then  we  get  ofi"  our  pilot.  But  how  am  I 
to  know  him  ?  ' ' 

Merry  will  give  you  the  pass- word,  and  tell  you  where 
to  look  for  him.  I  would  land  myself,  but  my  orders  forbid 
it.  If  you  meet  with  difficulties,  show  three  oar-blades 
in  a  row,  and  I  will  pull  in  to  your  assistance.  Three  oars 
on  end  and  a  pistol  will  bring  the  fire  of  my  muskets,  and 
the  signal  repeated  from  the  barge  will  draw  a  shot  from 
the  ship." 

"  I  thank  you,  I  thank  you,"  said  Barnstable,  carelessly  ; 
*  *  I  believe  I  can  fight  my  own  battles  against  all  the  enemies 
we  are  likely  to  fall  in  with  on  this  coast.  But  the  old  man 
Is  surely  mad.    I  would — ' ' 

"You  would  obey  his  orders  if  he  were  here,  and  you 


8 


Ube  pilot 


will  now  please  to  obey  mine,"  said  Griffith,  in  a  tone  that 
the  friendly  expression  of  his  eye  contradicted.  '  *  Pull  in, 
and  keep  a  lookout  for  a  small  man  in  a  drab  pea-jacket; 
Merry  will  give  you  the  word ;  if  he  answer  it,  bring  him 
off  to  the  barge." 

The  young  men  now  nodded  familiarly^  and  kindly  to 
each  other,  and  the  boy  who  was  called^JVIr.  Merry  \ha.ying 
changed  his  place  from  the  barge  to  the  whale-boat,TBam- 
'  stablejthrew  himself  into  his  seat,  and  making  a  signal  wrth 
'""^ns  hand,  his  men  again  bent  to  their  oars.  The  light 
vessel  shot  away  from  her  companion,  and  dashed  in  boldly 
towards  the  rocks ;  after  skirting  the  shore  for  some  dis- 
tance in  quest  of  a  favorable  place,  she  was  suddenly  turned, 
and,  dashing  over  the  broken  waves,  was  run  upon  a  spot 
where  a  landing  could  be  effected  in  safety. 

In  the  meantime  the  barge  followed  these  movements, 
at  some  distance,  with  a  more  measured  progress,  and  when 
the  whale-boat  was  observed  to  be  drawn  up  alongside  of  a 
rock,  the  promised  grapnel  was  cast  into  the  water,  and  her 
crew  deliberately  proceeded  to  get  their  fire-arms  in  a  state 
for  immediate  service.  Everything  appeared  to  be  done  in 
obedience  to  strict  orders  that  must  have  been  previously 
communicated  ;  for  the  young  man,  who  has  been  introduced 
to  the  reader  by  the  name  of  [Griffith,!  seldom  spoke,  and 
then  only  in  the  pithy  expressions  that  are  apt  to  fall  from 
those  who  are  sure  of  obedience.  When  the  boat  had 
brought  up  to  her  grapnel,  he  sunk  back  at  his  length  on 
the  cushioned  seats  of  the  barge,  and  drawing  his  hat  over 
his  eyes  in  a  listless  manner,  he  continued  for  many  minutes 
apparently  absorbed  in  thoughts  altogether  foreign  to  his 
present  situation.  Occasionally  he  rose,  and  would  first 
bend  his  looks  in  quest  of  his  companions  on  the  shore,  and 
then,  turning  his  expressive  eyes  towards  the  ocean,  the  ab- 
stracted and  vacant  air  that  so  often  usurped  the  place  of 
animation  and  intelligence  in  his  countenance,  would  give 
place  to  the  anxious  and  intelligent  look  of  a  seaman  gifted 
with  an  experience  beyond  his  years.  His  weather-beaten 
and  hardy  crew,  having  made  their  dispositions  for  offence, 
sat  in  profound  silence,  with  their  hands  thrust  into  the 


Ube  pilot 


9 


bosoms  of  their  jackets,  but  with  their  eyes  earnestly  regard- 
ing every  cloud  that  was  gathering  in  the  threatening  atmos- 
phere, and  exchanging  looks  of  deep  care,  whenever  the  boat 
rose  higher  than  usual  on  one  of  those  long,  heavy  ground- 
swells,  that  were  heaving  in  from  the  ocean  with  increasing 
rapidity  and  magnitude. 


CHAPTER  II. 


"A  horseman's  coat  shall  hide 
Thy  taper  shape  and  comeliness  of  side  ; 
And  with  a  bolder  stride  and  looser  air, 
Mingled  with  men,  a  man  thou  must  appear." 

Prior. 

WHEN  the  whale-boat  obtained  the  position  we 
have  described,  the  young  lieutenant,  who,  in 
consequence  of  commanding  a  schooner,  was 
usually  addressed  by  the  title  of  captain, 
stepped  on  the  rocks,  followed  by  the  youthful  midshipman, 
who  had  quitted  the  barge  to  aid  in  the  hazardous  duty  of 
their  expedition. 

"  This  is,  at  best,  but  a  Jacob's  ladder  we  have  to  climb," 
said  Barnstable,  casting  his  eyes  upward  at  the  difficult 
ascent,  "and  it  's  by  no  means  certain  that  we  shall  be 
well  received  when  we  get  up,  even  though  we  should  reach 
the  top." 

"We  are  under  the  guns  of  the  frigate,"  returned  the 
boy  ;  * '  and  you  remember,  sir,  three  oar-blades  and  a  pistol 
repeated  from  the  barge,  will  draw  her  fire. ' ' 

' '  Yes,  on  our  own  heads.  Boy,  never  be  so  foolish  as  to 
trust  a  long  shot.  It  makes  a  great  smoke  and  some  noise, 
but  it 's  a  terrible  uncertain  manner  of  throwing  old  iron 
about.  In  such  a  business  as  this  I  would  sooner  tmst  Tom 
Coffin  and  his  harpoon,  to  back  me,  than  the  best  broadside 
that  ever  rattled  out  of  the  three  decks  of  a  ninety-gun 
ship.    Come,  gather  your  limbs  together,  and  try  if  you  can 

]^alk  on  terra  firma.  Master  Coffin." 
The  seaman  who  was  addressed  by  this  dire  appellation 
rose  slowly  from  the  place  where  he  was  stationed  as  cock- 

lo 


XTbe  pilot 


II 


swain  of  the  boat,  and  seemed  to  ascend  high  in  air  by  the 
gradual  evolution  of  numberless  folds  in  his  body.  When 
erect,  he  stood  nearly  six  feet  and  as  many  inches  in  his 
shoes,  though,  when  elevated  in  his  most  perpendicular  atti- 
tude, there  was  a  forward  inclination  about  his  head  and 
shoulders  that  appeared  to  be  the  consequence  of  habitual 
confinement  in  limited  lodgings.  His  whole  frame  was  des- 
titute of  the  rounded  outlines  of  a  well  formed  man,  though 
his  enormous  hands  furnished  a  display  of  bones  and  sinews 
which  gave  indication  of  gigantic  strength.  On  his  head  he 
wore  a  little,  low,  brown  hat  of  wool,  with  an  arched  top, 
that  threw  an  expression  of  peculiar  solemnity  and  hardness 
over  his  harsh  visage,  the  sharp,  prominent  features  of  which 
were  completely  encircled  by  a  set  of  black  whiskers,  that 
began  to  be  grizzled  a  little  with  age.  One  of  his  hands 
grasped,  with  a  sort  of  instinct,  the  staff  of  a  bright  harpoon, 
the  lower  end  of  which  he  placed  firmly  on  the  rock,  as,  in 
obedience  to  the  order  of  his  commander,  he  left  the  place 
where,  considering  his  vast  dimensions,  he  had  been  estab- 
lished in  an  incredibly  small  space,  f 

As  soon  as  Captain  Barnstable  received  this  addition  to 
his  strength,  he  gave  a  few  precautionary  orders  to  the  men 
in  the  boat,  and  proceeded  to  the  difiicult  task  of  ascending 
the  rocks.  Notwithstanding  the  great  daring  and  personal 
agility  of  Barnstable,  he  would  have  been  completely  baffled 
in  this  attempt,  but  for  the  assistance  he  occasionally  re- 
ceived from  his  cockswain,  whose  prodigious  strength  and 
great  length  of  limbs  enabled  him  to  make  exertions  which 
it  would  have  been  useless  for  most  men  to  attempt.  When 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  summit,  they  availed  themselves  of 
a  projecting  rock  to  pause  for  consultation  and  breath,  both 
of  which  seemed  necessary  for  their  further  movements. 

"  This  will  be  but  a  bad  place  for  a  retreat,  if  we  should 
happen  to  fall  in  with  enemies,"  said  Barnstable.  "Where 
are  we  to  look  for  this  pilot,  Mr.  Merry,  or  how  are  we  to 
know  him  ;  and  what  certainty  have  you  that  he  will  not 
betray  us  ?  " 

* '  The  question  you  are  to  put  to  him  is  written  on  this 
bit  of  paper, ' '  returned  the  boy,  as  he  handed  the  other  the 


12 


XTbe  pilot 


word  of  recognition  :  *  *  we  made  the  signal  on  the  point  of 
the  rock  at  yon  headland,  but,  as  he  must  have  seen  our 
boat,  he  will  follow  us  to  this  plac^^  As  to  his  betraying  us, 
he  seems  to  have  the  confidence  of  Captain  Munsoc^who  has 
kept  a  bright  lookout  for  him  ever  sinee-we  made  the  land." 

"Ay,"  muttered  the  lieutenant,  "and  I  shall  have  a 
bright  lookout  kept  on  him  now  we  are  on  the  land.  I  like 
not  this  business  of  hugging  the  shore  so  closely,  nor  have 
I  much  faith  in  any  traitor.  What  think  you  of  it,  Master 
Coffin?" 

The  hardy  old  seaman,  thus  addressed,  turned  his  grave 
visage  on  his  commander,  and  replied  with  a  becoming 
gravity,— 

"  Give  me  a  plenty  of  sea-room,  and  good  canvas,  where 
there  is  no  occasion  for  pilots  at  all,  sir.  For  my  part,  I 
was  born  on  board  a  chebacco-man,  and  never  could  see  the 
use  of  more  land  than  now  and  then  a  small  island  to  raise 
a  few  vegetables,  and  to  dry  your  fish  ;  I'm  sure  the  sight 
of  it  always  makes  me  feel  uncomfortable,  unless  we  have 
the  wind  dead  off  shore. ' ' 

"  Ah  !  Tom,  you  are  a  sensible  fellow,"  said  Barnstable, 
with  an  air  half  comic,  half  serious.  '  *  But  we  must  be 
moving  ;  the  sun  is  just  touching  those  clouds  to  sea-ward, 
and  God  keep  us  from  riding  out  this  night  at  anchor  in 
such  a  place  as  this." 

Laying  his  hand  on  a  projection  of  the  rock  above  him, 
Barnstable  swung  himself  forward,  and  following  this  move- 
ment with  a  desperate  leap  or  two,  he  stood  at  once  on  the 
brow  of  the  cliff.  His  cockswain  very  deliberately  raised 
the  midshipman  after  his  officer,  and  proceeding  with  more 
caution  but  less  exertion,  he  soon  placed  himself  by  his  side. 

When  they  reached  the  level  land  that  lay  above  the 
cliffs,  and  began  to  inquire,  with  curious  and  wary  eyes, 
into  the  surrounding  scenery,  the  adventurers  discovered  a 
cultivated  country,  divided  in  the  usual  manner,  by  hedges 
and  walls.  Only  one  habitation  for  man,  however,  and  that 
a  small  dilapidated  cottage,  stood  within  a  mile  of  them, 
most  of  the  dwellings  being  placed  as  far  as  convenience 
would  permit,  from  the  fogs  and  damps  of  the  ocean. 


XTbe  pilot 


13 


Here  seems  to  be  neither  anything  to  apprehend,  nof 
the  object  of  our  search,"  said  Barnstable,  when  he  had 
taken  the  whole  view  in  his  survey  :  *  *  I  fear  we  have  landed 
to  no  purpose,  Mr.  Merry.  What  say  you,  long  Tom  ;  see 
you  what  we  want  ? ' ' 

"  I  see  no  pilot,  sir,"  returned  the  cockswain,  "  but  it'a^:;^ 
an  ill  wind  that  blows  luck  to  nobody  ;  there  is  a  mouthful 
of  fresh  meat  stowed  away  under  that  row  of  bushes,  that 
would  make  a  double  ration  to  all  hands  in  the  Ariel." 

The  midshipman  laughed,  as  he  pointed  out  to  Barnstable 
the  object  of  the  cockswain's  sob'citude,  which  proved  to  be 
a  fat  ox,  quietly  ruminating  under  a  hedge  near  them. 

"  There  's  many  a  hungry  fellow  aboard  of  us,"  said  the 
boy,  merrily,  "who  would  be  glad  to  second  long  Tom's 
motion,  if  the  time  and  business  would  permit  us  to  slay  the 
animal. ' ' 

"It  is  but  a  lubber's  blow,  Mr.  Merry,"  returned  the.^— 
cockswain,  without  a  muscle  of  his  hard  face  yielding,  as  he 
struck  the  end  of  his  harpoon  violently  against  the  earth, 
and  then  made  a  motion  towards  poising  the  weapon  ;  "let 
Captain  Barnstable  but  say  the  word,  and  I  '11  drive  the 
iron  through  him  to  the  quick  ;  I 've  sent  it  to  the  seizing  in 
many  a  whale,  that  had  n't  a  jacket  of  such  blubber  as  that 
fellow  wears. ' ' 

"  Pshaw  !  you  are  not  on  a  whaling  voyage,  where  every- 
thing that  offers  is  game,"  said  Barnstable,  turning  himself 
pettishly  away  from  the  beast,  as  if  he  distrusted  his  own 
forbearance  ;  *  *  but  stand  fast  !  I  see  some  one  approaching 
behind  the  hedge.  Look  to  your  arms,  Mr.  Merry, — the 
first  thing  we  hear  may  be  a  shot. ' ' 

' '  Not  from  that  cruiser, ' '  cried  the  thoughtless  lad  ;  "he 
is  a  younker,  like  myself,  and  would  hardly  dare  run  down 
upon  such  a  formidable  force  as  we  muster. ' ' 

"  You  say  true,  boy,"  returned  Barnstable,  relinquishing 
the  grasp  he  held  on  his  pistol.  "  He  comes  on  with  cau- 
tion, as  if  afraid.  He  is  small,  and  is  in  drab,  though  I 
should  hardly  call  it  a  pea-jacket — and  yet  he  may  be  our 
man.    Stand  you  both  here,  while  I  go  and  hail  him." 

As  Barnstable  walked  rapidly  towards  the  hedge,  that  in 


14 


Ube  pilot 


part  concealed  the  stranger,  the  latter  stopped  suddenly,  and 
seemed  to  be  in  doubt  whether  to  advance  or  to  retreat. 
Before  he  had  decided  on  either,  the  active  sailor  was  within 
a  few  feet  of  him. 

"Pray,  sir,"  said  Barnstable,  "what  water  have  we  in 
this  bay  ?  ' ' 

The  slight  form  of  the  stranger  started,  with  an  extraor- 
dinary emotion,  at  this  question,  and  he  shrank  aside  in- 
voluntarily, as  if  to  conceal  his  features,  before  he  answered, 
in  a  voice  that  was  barely  audible, — 

' '  I  should  think  it  would  be  the  water  of  the  German 
Ocean." 

' '  Indeed  !  you  must  have  passed  no  small  part  of  your 
short  life  in  the  study  of  geography,  to  be  so  well  informed, ' ' 
leturned  the  lieutenant ;  ' '  perhaps,  sir,  your  cunning  is  also 
equal  to  telling  me  how  long  we  shall  sojourn  together,  if  I 
make  you  a  prisoner,  in  order  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  your 
wit?" 

To  this  alarming  intimation,  the  youth  who  was  addressed 
made  no  reply  ;  but  as  he  averted  his  face,  and  concealed  it 
with  both  his  hands,  the  offended  seaman,  believing  that  a 
salutary  impression  had  been  made  upon  the  fears  of  his 
auditor,  was  about  to  proceed  with  his  interrogatories.  The 
singular  agitation  of  the  stranger's  frame,  however,  caused 
the  lieutenant  to  continue  silent  a  few  moments  longer, 
when,  to  his  utter  amazement,  he  discovered  that  what  he 
had  mistaken  for  alarm  was  produced  by  an  endeavor,  on 
the  part  of  the  youth,  to  suppress  a  violent  fit  of  laughter. 

"Now,  by  all  the  whales  in  the  sea,"  cried  Barnstable, 
"but  you  are  merry  out  of  season,  young  gentleman.  It 's 
quite  bad  enough  to  be  ordered  to  anchor  in  such  a  bay  as 
this  with  a  storm  brewing  before  my  eyes,  without  landing 
to  be  laughed  at  by  a  stripling  who  has  not  strength  to 
carry  a  beard  if  he  had  one,  when  I  ought  to  be  getting  an 
ofiing  for  the  safety  of  both  body  and  soul.  But  I  '11  know 
more  of  you  and  your  jokes,  if  I  take  you  into  my  own 
mess,  and  am  giggled  out  of  my  sleep  for  the  rest  of  the 
cruise. ' ' 

As  the  commander  of  the  schooner  concluded,  he  ap- 


XTbe  pilot 


15 


preached  the  stranger,  with  an  air  of  ofifering  some  violence  ; 
but  the  other  shrank  back  from  his  extended  arm,  and  ex- 
claimed, with  a  voice  in  which  real  terror  had  gotten  the 
better  of  mirth, — 

*  *  Barnstable  !  dear  Barnstable  !  would  you  harm  me  ! ' ' 
The  sailor  recoiled  several  feet,  at  this  imexpected  appeal, 
and  rubbing  his  eyes,  he  threw  the  cap  from  his  head,  before 
he  cried, — 

'  *  What  do  I  hear !  and  what  do  I  see  !  There  lies  the 
Ariel— and  yonder  is  the  frigate.  Can  this  bej  Katherine 
Plowden  ]/' 

His  doubts,  if  any  doubts  remained,  were  soon  removed, 
for  the  stranger  sank  on  the  bank  at  her  side,  in  an  attitude 
in  which  female- bashfulness  was  beautifully  contrasted  with 
her  attire,  and  gave  vent  to  her  mirth  in  an  uncontrollable 
burst  of  merriment. 

From  that  moment,  all  thoughts  of  his  duty,  and  the 
pilot,  or  even  of  the  Ariel,  appeared  to  be  banished  from  the 
mind  of  the  seaman,  who  sprang  to  her  side,  and  joined  in 
her  mirth,  though  he  hardly  knew  why  or  wherefore. 

When  the  diverted  girl  had  in  some  degree  recovered  her 
composure,  she  turned  to  her  companion,  who  had  sat  good- 
naturedly  by  her  side,  content  to  be  laughed  at,  and  said, — 
But  this  is  not  only  silly,  but  cruel  to  others.  I  owe  you 
an  explanation  of  my  unexpected  appearance,  and  perhaps, 
also,  of  my  extraordinary  attire." 

* '  I  can  anticipate  everything, ' '  cried  Barnstable  ;  *  *  you 
heard  that  we  were  on  the  coast,  and  have  flown  to  redeem 
the  promises  you  made  me  in  America.  But  I  ask  no  more ; 
the  chaplain  of  the  frigate — ' ' 

"  May  preach  as  usual,  and  to  as  little  purpose,"  inter- 
rupted the  disguised  female ;  ' '  but  no  nuptial  benediction 
shall  be  pronounced  over  me,  until  I  have  effected  the  ob- 
ject of  this  hazardous  experiment.  You  are  not  usually 
selfish,  Barnstable  ;  would  you  have  me  forgetful  of  the  hap- 
piness of  others  ! ' ' 

* '  Of  whom  do  you  speak  ? ' ' 

"  My  poor,  my  devoted  cousin.  I  heard  that  two  vessels 
answering  the  description  of  the  frigate  and  the  Ariel  were 


i 


i6 


Ube  pilot 


seen  hovering  on  the  coast,  and  I  determined  at  once  to  have 
a  communication  with  you.  I  have  followed  your  move- 
ments for  a  week,  in  this  dress,  but  have  been  unsuccessful 
till  now.  To-day  I  observed  you  to  approach  nearer  to  the 
shore  than  usual,  and  happily,  by  being  adventurous,  I  have 
been  successful." 

"Ay,  God  knows  we  are  near  enough  to  the  land  !  But 
does  Captain  Munson  know  of  your  wish  to  get  on  board  his 
ship?" 

' '  Certainly  not — none  know  of  it  but  yourself.  I  thought 
that  if  Griffith  and  you  could  learn  our  situation,  you  might 
be  tempted  to  hazard  a  little  to  redeem  us  from  our  thrall- 
dom.  In  this  paper  I  have  prepared  such  an  account  as 
will,  I  trust,  excite  all  your  chivalry,  and  by  which  you  may 
govern  your  movements." 

' '  Our  movements  ! ' '  interrupted  Barnstable.  *  *  You  will 
pilot  us  in  person." 

"Then  there  's  two  of  them  !  "  said  a  hoarse  voice  near 
them.  The  alarmed  female  shrieked  as  she  recovered  her 
feet,  but  she  still  adhered,  with  instinctive  dependence,  to  the 
side  of  her  lover.  Barnstable,  who  recognized  the  tones  of 
his  cockswain,  bent  an  angry  brow  on  the  sober  visage  that 
was  peering  at  them  above  the  hedge,  and  demanded  the 
meaning  of  the  interruption. 

* '  Seeing  you  were  hull-down,  sir,  and  not  knowing  but 
'^^the  chase  might  lead  you  ashore,  Mr.  Merry  thought  it 
best  to  have  a  lookout  kept.  I  told  him  that  you  were  over- 
hauling the  mail  bags  of  the  messenger  for  the  news,  but  as 
he  was  an  officer,  sir,  and  I  nothing  but  a  common  hand,  I 
did  as  he  ordered. ' ' 

"Return,  sir,  where  I  commanded  you  to  remain,"  said 
Barnstable,  "  and  desire  Mr.  Merry  to  wait  my  pleasure." 

The  cockswain  gave  the  usual  reply  of  an  obedient  sea- 
man ;  but  before  he  left  the  hedge,  he  stretched  out  one  of 
his  brawny  arms  towards  the  ocean,  and  said,  in  tones  of 
solemnity  suited  to  his  apprehensions  and  character, — 

"I  showed  you  how  to  knot  a  reef-point,  and  pass  a  gas- 
ket. Captain  Barnstable,  nor  do  I  believe  you  could  even 
take  two  half-hitches  when  you  first  came  aboard  of  the  Spal- 


Ube  pilot 


17 


macitty.  These  be  things  that  a  man  is  soon  expart  in,  but 
it  takes  the  time  of  his  nat'ral  life  to  Tarn  to  know  the 
weather.  There  be  streaked  wind-galls  in  the  offing,  that 
speak  as  plainly,  to  all  that  see  them,  and  know  God's 
language  in  the  clouds,  as  ever  you  spoke  through  a  trum- 
pet, to  shorten  sail ;  besides,  sir,  don't  you  hear  the  sea 
moaning,  as  if  it  knew  the  hour  was  at  hand  when  it  was  to 
wake  up  from  its  sleep  ! ' ' 

Ay,  Tom,"  returned  his  officer,  walking  to  the  edge  of 
the  cliffs,  and  throwing  a  seaman's  glance  at  the  gloomy 
ocean,  '*  'tis  a  threatening  night  indeed  ;  but  this  pilot  must 
be  had — and — ' ' 

Is  that  the  man  ?  "  interrupted  the  cockswain,  pointing 
towards  a  man  who  was  standing  not  far  from  them,  an  at- 
tentive observer  of  their  proceedings,  at  the  same  time  that 
he  was  narrowly  watched  himself  by  the  young  midshipman. 
**  God  send  that  he  knows  his  trade  well,  for  the  bottom 
of  a  ship  will  need  eyes  to  find  its  road  out  of  this  wild 
anchorage." 

* '  That  must  indeed  be  the  man  ! ' '  exclaimed  Barnstable, 
at  once  recalled  to  his  duty.  He  then  held  a  short  dialogue 
with  his  female  companion,  whom  he  left  concealed  by  the 
hedge,  and  proceeded  to  address  the  stranger.  When  near 
enough  to  be  heard,  the  commander  of  the  schooner  de- 
manded,— 

* '  What  water  have  you  in  this  bay  ? ' ' 

The  stranger,  who  seemed  to  expect  this  question,  an- 
swered without  the  least  hesitation, — 

Enough  to  take  all  out  in  safety,  who  have  entered  with 
confidence. ' ' 

You  are  the  man  I  seek,"  cried  Barnstable  ;  are  you 
ready  to  go  ofi"  ?  " 

"  Both  ready  and  willing,"  returned  the  Pilot,  "  and  there 
is  need  of  haste.  I  would  give  the  best  hundred  guineas 
that  ever  were  coined  for  two  hours  more  use  of  that  sun 
which  has  left  us,  or  for  even  half  the  time  of  this  fading 
twilight." 

*  *  Think  you  our  situation  so  bad  ? ' '  said  the  lieutenant. 
**  Follow  this  gentleman  to  the  boat  then ;  I  will  join  you  by 


i8 


Ube  pilot 


the  time  you  can  descend  the  cliffs.  I  believe  I  can  prevail 
on  another  hand  to  go  off  with  us." 

''Time  is  more  precious  now  than  any  number  of  hands," 
said  the  Pilot,  throwing  a  glance  of  impatience  from  under 
his  lowering  brows,  '  *  and  the  consequences  of  delay  must  be 
visited  on  those  who  occasion  it. ' ' 

''And,  sir,  I  will  meet  the  consequences  with  those  who 
have  a  right  to  inquire  into  my  conduct, ' '  said  Barnstable, 
haughtily. 

With  this  warning  and  retort  they  separated  ;  the  young 
officer  retracing  his  steps  impatiently  towards  his  mistress, 
muttering  his  indignation  in  suppressed  execrations,  and  the 
Pilot,  drawing  the  leathern  belt  of  his  pea-jacket  mechanic- 
ally around  his  body,  as  he  followed  the  midshipman  and 
cockswain  to  their  boat,  in  moody  silence. 

Barnstable  found  the  disguised  female  who  had  announced 
herself  as  Katherine  Plowden,  awaiting  his  return,  with  in- 
tense anxiety  depicted  on  every  feature  of  her  intelligent 
countenance.  As  he  felt  all  the  responsibility  of  his  situa- 
tion, notwithstanding  his  cool  reply  to  the  Pilot,  the  young 
man  hastily  drew  an  arm  of  the  apparent  boy,  forgetful  of 
her  disguise,  through  his  own,  and  led  her  forward. 

' '  Come,  Katherine, ' '  he  said,  ' '  the  time  urges  to  be 
prompt." 

' '  What  pressing  necessity  is  there  for  immediate  depart- 
ure ?  ' '  she  inquired,  checking  his  movements  by  withdraw- 
ing herself  from  his  side. 

' '  You  heard  the  ominous  prognostic  of  my  cockswain  on 
the  weather,  and  I  am  forced  to  add  my  own  testimony  to 
his  opinion.  'T  is  a  crazy  night  that  threatens  us,  though  I 
cannot  repent  of  coming  into  the  bay,  since  it  has  led  to  this 
interview. ' ' 

* '  God  forbid  that  we  should  either  of  us  have  cause  to 
repent  of  it,"  said  Katherine,  the  paleness  of  anxiety  chas- 
ing away  the  rich  bloom  that  had  mantled  the  animated  face 
of  the  brunette.  ' '  But  you  have  the  paper — follow  its  direc- 
tions, and  come  to  our  rescue  ;  you  will  find  us  willing  cap- 
tives, if  Griffith  and  yourself  are  our  conquerors." 

"What  mean  you,  Katherine!"  exclaimed  her  lover; 


Ube  pilot 


19 


**you  at  least  are  now  in  safety;  'twould  be  madness  to 
tempt  your  fate  again.  My  vessel  can  and  shall  protect  you, 
until  your  cousin  is  redeemed  ;  and  then,  remember,  I  have 
a  claim  on  you  for  life." 

'  *  And  how  would  you  dispose  of  me  in  the  interval  ? ' ' 
said  the  young  maiden,  retreating  slowly  from  his  advances. 

In  the  Ariel ;  by  Heaven,  you  shall  be  her  commander. 
I  will  bear  the  rank  only  in  name." 

"I  thank  you,  thank  you,  Barnstable,  but  distrust  my 
abilities  to  fill  such  a  station,"  she  said,  laughing,  though 
the  color  that  again  crossed  her  youthful  features  was  like 
the  glow  of  a  summer's  sunset,  and  even  her  mirthful  eyes 
seemed  to  reflect  their  tints.  '  *  Do  not  mistake  me,  saucy 
one.  If  I  have  done  more  than  my  sex  will  warrant,  re- 
member it  was  through  a  holy  motive,  and  if  I  have  more 
than  a  woman's  enterprise,  it  must  be — " 

* '  To  lift  you  above  the  weakness  of  your  sex, ' '  he  cried, 
'  *  and  to  enable  you  to  show  your  noble  confidence  in  me. ' ' 

"  To  fit  me  for,  and  to  keep  me  worthy  of  being  one  day 
your  wife."  As  she  uttered  these  words  she  turned  and  dis- 
appeared, with  a  rapidity  that  eluded  his  attempt  to  detain 
her,  behind  an  angle  of  the  hedge,  that  was  near  them.  For 
a  moment,  Barnstable  remained  motionless,  through  surprise, 
and  when  he  sprang  forward  in  pursuit,  he  was  able  only  to 
catch  a  glimpse  of  her  light  form,  in  the  gloom  of  the  evening, 
as  she  again  vanished  in  a  little  thicket  at  some  distance. 

Barnstable  was  about  to  pursue,  when  the  air  lighted  with 
a  sudden  flash,  and  the  bellowing  report  of  a  cannon  rolled 
along  the  cliffs,  and  was  echoed  among  the  hills  far  inland. 

' '  Ay,  grumble  away,  old  dotard  ! ' '  the  disappointed  young 
sailor  muttered  to  himself,  while  he  reluctantly  obeyed  the 
signal :  ' '  you  are  in  as  great  a  hurry  to  get  out  of  your 
danger  as  you  were  to  run  into  it." 

The  quick  reports  of  three  muskets  from  the  barge  beneath 
where  he  stood  urged  him  to  quicken  his  pace,  and  as  he 
threw  himself  carelessly  down  the  rugged  and  dangerous 
passes  of  the  cliffs,  his  experienced  eye  beheld  the  well-known 
lights  displayed  from  the  frigate,  which  commanded  '  *  the 
recall  of  all  her  boats." 


CHAPTER  III. 


•*  In  such  a  time  as  this,  it  is  not  meet 
That  every  nice  offence  should  bear  its  comment." 

Shakespeare. 

THE  cliffs  threw  their  dark  shadows  wide  on  the 
waters,  and  the  gloom  of  the  evening  had  so  far 
advanced  as  to  conceal  the  discontent  that  brooded 
over  the  ordinarily  open  brow  of  Barnstable  as  he 
sprang  from  the  rocks  into  the  boat,  and  took  his  seat  by 
the  side  of  the  silent  Pilot. 

"  Shove  off  !  "  cried  the  lieutenant,  in  tones  that  his  men 
knew  must  be  obeyed.  "A  seaman's  curse  light  on  the 
folly  that  exposes  planks  and  lives  to  such  navigation  ;  and 
all  to  bum  some  old  timberman,  or  catch  a  Norway  trader 
asleep  !  give  way,  men,  give  way  !  " 

Notwithstanding  the  heavy  and  dangerous  surf  that  was 
beginning  to  tumble  in  upon  the  rocks,  in  an  alarming  man- 
ner, the  startled  seamen  succeeded  in  urging  their  light  boat 
over  the  waves,  and  in  a  few  seconds  were  without  the  point 
where  danger  was  most  to  be  apprehended.  Barnstable  had 
seemingly  disregarded  the  breakers  as  they  passed,  but 
sat  sternly  eying  the  foam  that  rolled  by  them  in  succes- 
sive surges,  until  the  boat  rose  regularly  on  the  long  seas, 
when  he  turned  his  looks  around  the  bay  in  quest  of  the 
barge. 

**  Ay,  Griffith  has  tired  of  rocking  in  his  pillowed  cra- 
dle," he  muttered,  "  and  will  give  us  a  pull  to  the  frigate, 
when  we  ought  to  be  getting  the  schooner  out  of  this  hard- 
featured  landscape.  This  is  just  such  a  place  as  one  of  your 
sighing  lovers  would  doat  on ;  a  little  land,  a  little  water,  and 

ao 


XTbe  pilot 


21 


a  good  deal  of  rock.  Damme,  long  Tom,  but  I  am  more 
than  half  of  your  mind,  that  an  island  now  and  then  is  all 
the  terra  jirma  that  a  seaman  needs." 

"It's  reason  and  philosophy,  sir,"  returned  the  sedate 
cockswain  ;  ' '  and  what  land  there  is,  should  always  be  a  > 
soft  mud,  or  a  sandy  ooze,  in  order  that  an  anchor  might 
hold,  and  to  make  soundings  sartain.  I  have  lost  many  a 
deep-sea,  besides  hand-leads  by  the  dozens,  on  rocky  bot- 
toms'f  but  give  me  the  roadstead  where  a  lead  comes  up 
light  and  an  anchor  heavy.  There  's  a  boat  pulling  athwart 
our  fore-foot.  Captain  Barnstable  ;  shall  I  run  her  aboard,  or 
give  her  a  berth,  sir  ?  " 

'T  is  the  barge  !  "  cried  the  officer;  **Ned  has  not  de- 
serted me,  after  all  !  " 

A  loud  hail  from  the  approaching  boat  confirmed  this 
opinion,  and,  in  a  few  seconds,  the  barge  and  whale-boat 
were  again  rolling  by  each  other's  side.  Griffith  was  no 
longer  reclining  on  the  cushions  of  his  seats,  but  spoke 
earnestly,  and  with  a  slight  tone  of  reproach  in  his  man- 
ner. 

'  *  Why  have  you  wasted  so  many  precious  moments, 
when  every  minute  threatens  us  with  new  dangers  ?  I  was 
obeying  the  signal,  but  I  heard  your  oars,  and  pulled  back 
to  take  out  the  Pilot.    Have  you  been  successful  ?  ' ' 

"  There  he  is  ;  and  if  he  finds  his  way  out,  through  the 
shoals,  he  will  earn  a  right  to  his  name.  This  bids  fair  to 
be  a  night  when  a  man  will  need  a  spy-glass  to  find  the 
moon.  But  when  you  hear  what  I  have  seen  on  those 
rascally  cliffs,  you  will  be  more  ready  to  excuse  my  delay, 
Mr.  Griffith." 

You  have  seen  the  true  man,  I  trust,  or  we  incur  this 
hazard  to  an  evil  purpose. ' ' 

"  Ay,  I  have  seen  him  that  is  a  true  man,  and  him  that 
is  not, ' '  replied  Barnstable,  bitterly  ;  '  *  you  have  the  boy 
with  you,  Griffith — ask  him  what  his  yoimg  eyes  have 
seen." 

''Shall  I!"  cried  the  young  midshipman,  laughing; 
''then  I  have  seen  a  little  clipper,  in  disguise,  outsail 
an  old  man-of-war's  man  in  a  hard  chase,  and  I  have 


22 


Zbc  pilot 


seen  a  straggling  rover  in  long-togs  as  much  like  my 
cousin — ' ' 

* '  Peace,  gabbler  !  ' '  exclaimed  Barnstable,  in  a  voice  of 
thunder  ;  * '  would  you  detain  the  boats  with  your  silly  non- 
sense at  a  time  like  this  ?  Away  into  the  barge,  sir,  and  if 
you  find  him  willing  to  hear,  tell  Mr.  Griffith  what  your 
foolish  conjectures  amount  to,  at  your  leisure." 

The  boy  stepped  lightly  from  the  whale-boat  to  the  barge, 
whither  the  Pilot  had  already  preceded  him,  and,  as  he  sunk, 
with  a  mortified  air,  by  the  side  of  Griffith,  he  said,  in  a  low 
voice, — 

"And  that  won't  be  long,  I  know,  if  Mr.  Griffith  thinks 
and  feels  on  the  coast  of  England  as  he  thought  and  felt  at 
home." 

A  silent  pressure  of  his  hand  was  the  only  reply  that  the 
young  lieutenant  made,  before  he  paid  the  parting  compli- 
ments to  Barnstable,  and  directed  his  men  to  pull  for  their 
ship. 

The  boats  were  separating,  and  the  plash  of  the  oars  was 
already  heard,  when  the  voice  of  the  Pilot  was  for  the  first 
time  raised  in  earnest. 

Hold  !  "  he  cried  ;     hold  water,  I  bid  ye  !  " 

The  men  ceased  their  efforts,  at  the  commanding  tones 
of  his  voice,  and  turning  towards  the  whale-boat,  he  con- 
tinued,— 

* '  You  will  get  your  schooner  under  way  immediately. 
Captain  Barnstable,  and  sweep  into  the  ofling  with  as  little 
delay  as  possible.  Keep  the  ship  well  open  from  the  north- 
em  headland,  and  as  you  pass  us,  come  within  hail. ' ' 

"This  is  a  clean  chart  and  plain  sailing,  Mr.  Pilot,"  re- 
turned Barnstable  ;  "but  who  is  to  justify  my  moving  with- 
out orders,  to  Captain  Munson  ?  I  have  it  in  black  and 
white,  to  run  the  Ariel  into  this  feather-bed  sort  of  a  place, 
and  I  must  at  least  have  it  by  signal  or  word  of  mouth  from 
my  betters,  before  my  cut-water  curls  another  wave.  The 
road  may  be  as  hard  to  find  going  out  as  it  was  coming  in  ; 
and  then  I  had  daylight  as  well  as  your  written  directions  to 
steer  by." 

' '  Would  you  He  there  to  perish  on  such  a  night  ?  ' '  said 


Ube  pilot 


the  Pilot,  sternly.  "  Two  hours  hence,  this  heavy  swell  will 
break  where  your  vessel  now  rides  so  quietly." 

' '  There  we  think  exactly  alike ;  but  if  I  get  drowned 
now,  I  am  drowned  according  to  orders  ;  whereas,  if  I  knock 
a  plank  out  of  the  schooner's  bottom,  by  following  your 
directions,  'twill  be  a  hole  to  let  in  mutiny,  as  well  as  sea- 
water.  How  do  I  know  but  the  old  man  wants  another 
pilot  or  two  ?  ' ' 

"That's  philosophy,"  muttered  the  cockswain  of  the 
whale-boat,  in  a  voice  that  was  audible  ;  "but  it 's  a  hard 
strain  on  a  man's  conscience  to  hold  on  in  such  an  anchor- 
age !  " 

"Then  keep  your  anchor  down,  and  follow  it  to  the 
bottom,"  said  the  Pilot  to  himself;  "  it 's  worse  to  contend 
with  a  fool  than  a  gale  of  wind  ;  but  if — ' ' 

"No,  no,  sir — no  fool  neither,"  interrupted  Griffith. 
*  *  Barnstable  does  not  deserve  that  epithet,  though  he  cer- 
tainly carries  the  point  of  duty  to  the  extreme.  Heave  up 
at  once,  Mr.  Barnstable,  and  get  out  of  this  bay  as  fast  as 
possible." 

"Ah  !  you  don't  give  the  order  with  half  the  pleasure  with 
which  I  shall  execute  it ;  pull  away,  boys  !  the  Ariel  shall 
never  lay  her  bones  in  such  a  hard  bed,  if  I  can  help  it. ' ' 

As  the  commander  of  the  schooner  uttered  these  words 
with  a  cheering  voice,  his  men  spontaneously  shouted,  and 
the  whale-boat  darted  away  from  her  companion,  and  was 
soon  lost  in  the  gloomy  shadows  cast  from  the  cliffs. 

In  the  meantime,  the  oarsmen  of  the  barge  were  not 
idle,  but  by  strenuous  efforts  they  forced  the  heavy  boat 
rapidly  through  the  water,  and  in  a  few  minutes  she  ran 
alongside  of  the  frigate.  During  this  period  the  Pilot,  in  a 
voice  which  had  lost  all  the  startling  fierceness  and  authority 
it  had  manifested  in  his  short  dialogue  with  Barnstable, 
requested  Griffith  to  repeat  to  him,  slowly,  the  names  of 
the  officers  that  belonged  to  his  ship.  When  the  young 
lieutenant  had  complied  with  this  request,  he  observed  to 
his  companion, — 

' '  All  good  men  and  true,  Mr.  Pilot ;  and  though  this 
business  in  which  you  are  just  now  engaged  may  be  hazard- 


24 


XTbe  pilot 


ous  to  an  Knglishman,  there  are  none  with  us  who  will 
betray  you.  We  need  your  services,  and  as  we  expect  good 
faith  from  you,  so  shall  we  offer  it  to  you  in  exchange." 

' '  And  how  know  you  that  I  need  its  exercise  ? ' '  asked 
the  Pilot,  in  a  manner  that  denoted  a  cold  indifference  to 
the  subject. 

'  *  Why,  though  you  talk  pretty  good  English,  for  a  native, ' ' 
returned  Grifi&th,  "yet  you  have  a  small  bur-r-r  in  your 
mouth  that  would  prick  the  tongue  of  a  man  who  was  bom 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic. ' ' 

"  It  is  of  but  little  moment  where  a  man  is  born,  or  how 
he  speaks,"  returned  the  Pilot,  coldly,  "  so  that  he  does  his 
duty  bravely,  and  in  good  faith." 

It  was  perhaps  fortunate  for  the  harmony  of  this  dialogue, 
that  the  gloom,  which  had  now  increased  to  positive  dark- 
ness, completely  concealed  the  look  of  scornful  irony  that 
crossed  the  handsome  features  of  the  young  sailor,  as  he 
replied, — 

* '  True,  true,  so  that  he  does  his  duty,  as  you  say,  in  good 
faith.  But,  as  Barnstable  observed,  you  must  know  your 
road  well  to  travel  among  these  shoals  on  such  a  night  as 
this.    Know  you  what  water  we  draw  ? ' ' 

"  'Tis  a  frigate's  draught,  and  I  shall  endeavor  to  keep 
you  in  four  fathoms  ;  less  than  that  would  be  dangerous." 

"She  's  a  sweet  boat !  "  said  Griffith  ;  "  and  minds  her 
helm  as  a  marine  watches  the  eye  of  his  sergeant  at  a  drill  ; 
but  you  must  give  her  room  in  stays,  for  she  fore-reaches,  as 
if  she  would  put  out  the  wind's  eye." 

The  Pilot  attended,  with  a  practised  ear,  to  this  description 
of  the  qualities  of  the  ship  that  he  was  about  to  attempt 
extricating  from  an  extremely  dangerous  situation.  Not  a 
syllable  was  lost  on  him  ;  and  when  Griffith  had  ended,  he 
remarked,  with  the  singular  coldness  that  prevaded  his 
manner, — 

"That  is  both  a  good  and  a  bad  quality  in  a  narrow 
channel.  I  fear  it  will  be  the  latter  to-night,  when  we  shall 
require  to  have  the  ship  in  leading-strings. ' ' 

"I  suppose  we  must  feel  our  way  with  the  lead?"  said 
Griffith. 


XTbe  pilot 


25 


**We  shall  need  both  eyes  and  leads,"  returned  the  Pilot, 
recurring  insensibly  to  his  soliloquizing  tone  of  voice.  '  *  I 
have  been  both  in  and  out  in  darker  nights  than  this,  though 
never  with  a  heavier  draught  than  a  half-two. ' ' 

"Then,  by  Heaven,  you  are  not  fit  to  handle  that  ship 
among  these  rocks  and  breakers  ! ' '  exclaimed  Griffith ; 
*'your  men  of  light  draught  never  know  their  water;  'tis 
the  deep  keel  only  that  finds  the  channel ;  Pilot !  Pilot ! 
beware  how  you  trifle  with  us  ignorantly  ;  for  't  is  a  danger- 
ous experiment  to  play  at  hazards  with  an  enemy." 

Young  man,  you  know  not  what  you  threaten,  nor 
whom,"  said  the  Pilot,  sternly,  though  his  quiet  manner  still 
remained  undisturbed  ;  ' '  you  forget  that  you  have  a  supe- 
rior here,  and  that  I  have  none." 

"That  shall  be  as  you  discharge  your  duty,"  cried 
Griffith;  "forif— " 

' '  Peace  ! ' '  interrupted  the  Pilot,  * '  we  approach  the  ship  ; 
let  us  enter  in  harmony. ' ' 

He  threw  himself  back  on  the  cushions  when  he  had  said 
this ;  and  Griffith,  though  filled  with  the  apprehensions  of 
suffering,  either  by  great  ignorance  or  treachery  on  the  part 
of  his  companion,  smothered  his  feelings  so  far  as  to  be 
silent,  and  they  ascended  the  side  of  the  vessel  in  apparent 
cordiality. 

The  frigate  was  already  riding  on  lengthened  seas,  that 
rolled  in  from  the  ocean  at  each  successive  moment  with 
increasing  violence,  though  her  topsails  still  hung  supinely 
from  her  yards ;  the  air,  which  continued  to  breathe  occa- 
sionally from  the  land,  being  unable  to  shake  the  heavy 
canvas  of  which  they  were  composed. 

The  only  sounds  that  were  audible,  when  Griffith  and  the 
Pilot  had  ascended  to  the  gangway  of  the  frigate,  were  pro- 
duced by  the  sullen  dashing  of  the  sea  against  the  massive 
bows  of  the  ship,  and  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  boatswain's 
mate,  as  he  recalled  the  side-boys,  who  were  placed  on  either 
side  of  the  gangway,  to  do  honor  to  the  entrance  of  the  first 
lieutenant  and  his  companion. 

But  though  such  a  profound  silence  reigned  among  the 
hundreds  who  inhabited  the  huge  fabric,  the  light  produced 


26 


XTbe  pilot 


by  a  dozen  battle-lanterns,  that  were  arranged  in  different 
parts  of  the  decks,  served  not  only  to  exhibit  faintly  the 
persons  of  the  crew,  but  the  mingled  feeling  of  curiosity  and 
care  that  dwelt  on  most  of  their  countenances. 

lyarge  groups  of  men  were  collected  in  the  gangways, 
around  the  mainmast,  and  on  the  booms  of  the  vessel,  whose 
faces  were  distinctly  visible,  while  numerous  figures,  lying 
along  the  lower  yards,  or  bending  out  of  the  tops,  might  be 
dimly  traced  in  the  background,  all  of  whom  expressed  by 
their  attitudes  the  interest  they  took  in  the  arrival  of  the 
boat. 

Though  such  crowds  were  collected  in  other  parts  of  the 
vessel,  the  quarter-deck  was  occupied  only  by  the  ofiicers, 
who  were  disposed  according  to  their  several  ranks,  and 
Were  equally  silent  and  attentive  as  the  remainder  of  the 
crew.  In  front  stood  a  small  collection  of  young  men,  who, 
by  their  similarity  of  dress,  were  the  equals  and  companions 
of  Griffith,  though  his  juniors  in  rank.  On  the  opposite 
side  of  the  vessel  was  a  larger  assemblage  of  youths,  who 
claimed  Mr.  Merry  as  their  fellow.  Around  the  capstan 
three  or  four  figures  were  standing,  one  of  whom  wore  a 
coat  of  blue,  with  the  scarlet  facings  of  a  soldier,  and  another 
the  black  vestments  of  the  ship's  chaplain.  Behind  these, 
and  nearer  the  passage  to  the  cabin  from  which  he  had  just 
ascended,  stood  the  tall,  erect  form  of  the  commander  of  the 
vessel. 

After  a  brief  salutation  between  Griffith  and  the  junior 
officers,  the  former  advanced,  followed  slowly  by  the  Pilot, 
to  the  place  where  he  was  expected  by  his  veteran  com- 
mander. The  young  man  removed  his  hat  entirely,  as  he 
bowed  with  a  little  more  than  his  usual  ceremony,  and 
said, — 

"We  have  succeeded,  sir,  though  not  without  more  diffi- 
culty and  delay  than  were  anticipated." 

"  But  you  have  not  brought  off  the  Pilot,"  said  the  cap- 
tain, and  without  him,  all  our  risk  and  trouble  have  been 
in  vain." 

"  He  is  here,"  said  Griffith,  stepping  aside,  and  extending 
his  arm  towards  the  man  that  stood  behind  him.  wrapped 


Zbc  pilot 


27 


to  the  chin  in  his  coarse  pea-jacket,  and  his  face  shadowed 
by  the  falling  rims  of  a  large  hat,  that  had  seen  much  and 
hard  service. 

' '  This  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  captain  ;  ' '  then  there  is  a  sad 
mistake — this  is  not  the  man  I  would  have  seen,  nor  can 
another  supply  his  place." 

"  I  know  not  whom  you  expected,  Captain  Munson,"  said 
the  stranger,  in  a  low,  quiet  voice ;  ' '  but  if  you  have  not 
forgotten  the  day  when  a  very  different  flag  from  that 
emblem  of  tyranny  that  now  hangs  over  yon  taffrail  was 
first  spread  to  ttie  wind,  you  may  remember  the  hand  that 
raised  it. ' ' 

' '  Bring  here  the  light ! ' '  exclaimed  the  commander, 
hastily. 

When  the  lantern  was  extended  towards  the  Pilot,  and 
the  glare  fell  strong  on  his  features,  Captain  Munson  started, 
as  he  beheld  the  calm  blue  eye  that  met  his  gaze,  and  the 
composed  but  pallid  countenance  of  the  other.  Involun- 
tarily raising  his  hat,  and  baring  his  silver  lock,  the  veteran 
cried, — 

* '  It  is  he  !  though  so  changed — ' ' 

''That  his  enemies  did  not  know  him,"  interrupted  the 
Pilot,  quickly ;  then  touching  the  other  by  the  arm  as  he 
led  him  aside,  he  continued,  in  a  lower  tone,  ''neither  must 
his  friends,  until  the  proper  hour  shall  arrive." 

Griffith  had  fallen  back  to  answer  the  eager  questions  of 
his  messmates,  and  no  part  of  this  short  dialogue  was  over- 
heard  by  the  officers,  though  it  was  soon  perceived  that  theii 
commander  had  discovered  his  error,  and  was  satisfied  that 
the  proper  man  had  been  brought  on  board  his  vessel.  For 
many  minutes  the  two  continued  to  pace  a  part  of  the 
quarter-deck,  by  themselves,  engaged  in  deep  and  earnest 
discourse. 

As  Griffith  had  but  little  to  communicate,  the  curiosity 
of  his  listeners  was  soon  appeased,  and  all  eyes  were  directed 
towards  that  mysterious  guide,  who  was  to  conduct  them 
from  a  situation  already  surrounded  by  perils,  which  each 
moment  not  only  magnified  in  appearance,  but  increased  in 
reality. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


"  Behold  the  threaden  sails, 
Borne  with  the  invisible  ard  creeping  winds, 
Draw  the  huge  bottoms  through  the  furrowed  sea. 
Breasting  the  lofty  surge." 

Shakespeare. 

IT  has  been  already  explained  to  the  reader,  that  there 
were  threatening  symptoms  in  the  appearance  of  the 
weather  to  create  serious  forebodings  of  evil  in  the 
breast  of  a  seaman.  When  removed  from  the  shadows 
of  the  cliffs,  the  night  was  not  so  dark  but  objects  could  be 
discerned  at  some  little  distance,  and  in  the  eastern  horizon 
there  was  a  streak  of  fearful  light  impending  over  the  gloomy 
waters,  in  which  the  swelling  outline  formed  by  the  rising 
waves  was  becoming  each  moment  more  distinct,  and,  con- 
sequently, more  alarming.  Several  dark  clouds  overhung 
the  vessel,  whose  towering  masts  apparently  propped  the 
black  vapor,  while  a  few  stars  were  seen  twinkling,  with  a 
sickly  flame,  in  the  streak  of  clear  sky  that  skirted  the 
ocean.  Still,  light  currents  of  air,  occasionally,  swept  across 
the  bay,  bringing  with  them  the  fresh  odor  from  the  shore, 
but  their  flitting  irregularity  too  surely  foretold  them  to  be 
the  expiring  breath  of  the  land-breeze.  The  roaring  of  the 
surf,  as  it  rolled  on  the  margin  of  the  bay,  produced  a  dull, 
monotonous  sound,  that  was  only  interrupted,  at  times,  by 
a  hollow  bellowing,  as  a  larger  wave  than  usual  broke 
violently  against  some  cavity  in  the  rock.  Everything,  in 
short,  united  to  render  the  scene  gloomy  and  portentous, 
without  creating  instant  terror,  for  the  ship  rose  easily  on 
the  long  billows,  without  even  straightening  the  heavy  cable 
that  held  her  to  her  anchor. 

s8 


XTbe  pilot 


29 


The  higher  officers  were  collected  around  the  capstan, 
engaged  in  earnest  discourse  about  their  situation  and  pros- 
pects, while  some  of  the  oldest  and  most  favored  seamen 
would  extend  their  short  walk  to  the  hallowed  precincts 
of  the  quarter-deck,  to  catch,  with  greedy  ears,  the  opinions 
that  fell  from  their  superiors.  Numberless  were  the  un- 
easy glances  that  were  thrown  from  both  officers  and  men 
at  their  commander  and  the  Pilot,  who  still  continued  their 
secret  communion  in  a  distant  part  of  the  vessel.  Once,  an 
ungovernable  curiosity,  or  the  heedlessness  of  his  years,  led 
one  of  the  youthful  midshipmen  near  them,  but  a  stern 
rebuke  from  his  captain  sent  the  boy,  abashed  and  cower- 
ing, to  hide  his  mortification  among  his  fellows.  This 
reprimand  was  received  by  the  elder  officers  as  an  intimation 
that  the  consultation  which  they  beheld  was  to  be  strictly 
inviolate ;  and,  though  it  by  no  means  suppressed  the 
repeated  expressions  of  their  impatience,  it  effectually  pre- 
vented an  interruption  to  the  communications,  whidh  all, 
however,  thought  were  unreasonably  protracted  for  the 
occasion. 

* '  This  is  no  time  to  be  talking  over  bearings  and  dis- 
tances, ' '  observed  the  officer  next  in  rank  to  Griffith  ;  ' '  but 
we  should  call  the  hands  up,  and  try  to  kedge  her  off  while 
the  sea  will  suffer  a  boat  to  live." 

'T  would  be  a  tedious  and  bootless  job  to  attempt  warp- 
ing a  ship  for  miles  against  a  head-beating  sea,"  returned 
the  first  lieutenant ;  * '  but  the  land-breeze  yet  flutters  aloft, 
and  if  our  light  sails  would  draw,  with  the  aid  of  this  ebb 
tide  we  might  be  able  to  shove  her  from  the  shore." 

"Hail  the  tops,  Griffith,"  said  the  other,  ''and  ask  if 
they  feel  the  air  above ;  'twill  be  a  hint  at  least  to  set  the 
old  man  and  that  lubberly  Pilot  in  motion." 

Griffith  laughed  as  he  complied  with  the  request,  and 
when  he  received  the  customary  reply  to  his  call,  he  de- 
manded in  a  loud  voice, — 

Which  way  have  you  the  wind,  aloft  ?  " 

"  We  feel  a  light  cat's-paw,  now  and  then,  from  the  land, 
sir,"  returned  the  sturdy  captain  of  the  top  ;  "but  our  top* 
sail  hangs  in  the  clew-lines,  sir,  without  winking. ' ' 


30 


TLbc  pilot 


Captain  Munson  and  his  companion  suspended  theii 
discourse  while  this  question  and  answer  were  exchanged, 
and  then  resumed  their  dialogue  as  earnestly  as  if  it  had 
received  no  interruption. 

"If  it  did  wink,  the  hint  would  be  lost  on  our  betters," 
said  the  officer  of  the  marines,  whose  ignorance  of  seaman- 
ship added  greatly  to  his  perception  of  the  danger,  but  who, 
from  pure  idleness,  made  more  jokes  than  any  other  man  in 
the  ship.  ' '  That  Pilot  would  not  receive  a  delicate  inti- 
mation through  his  ears,  Mr.  Grifl&th  ;  suppose  you  try  him 
by  the  nose." 

''Faith,  there  was  a  flash  of  gunpowder  between  us  in 
the  barge, ' '  returned  the  first  lieutenant,  ' '  and  he  does  not 
seem  a  man  to  stomach  such  hints  as  you  advise.  Although 
he  looks  so  meek  and  quiet,  I  doubt  whether  he  has  paid 
much  attention  to  the  book  of  Job." 

"  Why  should  he  ?  "  exclaimed  the  chaplain,  whose  appre- 
hensions at  least  equalled  those  of  the  marine,  and  with  a 
much  more  disheartening  effect ;  "I  am  sure  it  would  have 
been  a  great  waste  of  time :  there  are  so  many  charts  of 
the  coast,  and  books  on  the  navigation  of  these  seas,  for 
him  to  study,  that  I  sincerely  hope  he  has  been  much  better 
employed. ' ' 

A  loud  laugh  was  created  at  this  speech  among  the 
listeners,  and  it  apparently  produced  the  effect  that  was  so 
long  anxiously  desired,  by  putting  an  end  to  the  mysterious 
conference  between  their  captain  and  the  Pilot.  As  the 
former  came  forward  towards  his  expecting  crew,  he  said, 
in  the  composed,  steady  manner  that  formed  the  principal 
trait  in  his  character, — 

* '  Get  the  anchor,  Mr.  Grifiith,  and  make  sail  on  the 
ship  ;  the  hour  has  arrived  when  we  must  be  moving." 

The  cheerful  "  Ay,  ay,  sir  !  "  of  the  young  lieutenant  was 
hardly  uttered,  before  the  cries  of  half  a  dozen  midshipmen 
were  heard  summoning  the  boatswain  and  his  mates  to 
their  duty. 

There  was  a  general  movement  in  the  living  masses  that 
clustered  around  the  mainmast,  on  the  booms,  and  in  the 
gangways,  though  their  habits  of  discipline  held  the  crew  a 


xrbe  pilot 


31 


moment  longer  in  suspense.  The  silence  was  first  broken 
by  the  sound  of  the  boatswain's  whistle,  followed  by  the 
hoarse  cry  of  "All  hands,  up  anchor,  ahoy!"  the  former 
rising  on  the  night  air  from  its  first  low  mellow  notes  to  a 
piercing  shrillness  that  gradually  died  away  on  the  waters  ; 
and  the  latter  bellowing  through  every  cranny  of  the  ship, 
like  the  hollow  murmurs  of  distant  thunder. 

The  change  produced  by  the  customary  summons  was 
magical.  Human  beings  sprang  out  from  between  the 
guns,  rushed  up  the  hatches,  threw  themselves  with  careless 
activity  from  the  booms,  and  gathered  from  every  quarter 
so  rapidly,  that  in  an  instant,  the  deck  of  the  frigate  was 
alive  with  men.  The  profound  silence,  that  had  hitherto 
«>een  only  interrupted  by  the  low  dialogue  of  the  ofiicers, 
was  now  changed  for  the  stern  orders  of  the  lieutenants, 
mingled  with  the  shriller  cries  of  the  midshipmen,  and  the 
hoarse  bawling  of  the  boatswain's  crew,  rising  above  the 
tumult  of  preparation  and  general  bustle. 

The  captain  and  the  Pilot  alone  remained  passive,  in  this 
scene  of  general  exertion  ;  for  apprehension  had  even  stimu- 
lated that  class  of  officers  which  is  called  ' '  idlers ' '  to  unusual 
activity,  though  frequently  reminded  by  their  more  experi- 
enced messmates  that,  instead  of  aiding,  they  retarded  the 
duty  of  the  vessel.  The  bustle,  however,  gradually  ceased, 
and  in  a  few  minutes,  the  same  silence  pervaded  the  ship 
as  before. 

''We  are  brought- to,  sir,"  said  Griffith,  who  stood 
overlooking  the  scene,  holding  in  one  hand  a  short  speak- 
ing-trumpet, and  grasping  with  the  other  one  of  the  shrouds 
of  the  ship,  to  steady  himself  in  the  position  he  had  taken 
on  a  gun. 

"  Heave  round,  sir,"  was  the  calm  reply. 

*'  Heave  round  !  "  repeated  Griffith,  aloud. 

'  *  Heave  round  ! ' '  echoed  a  dozen  eager  voices  at  once, 
and  the  lively  strains  of  a  fife  struck  up  a  brisk  air,  to 
enliven  the  labor.  The  capstan  was  instantly  set  in  motion, 
and  the  measured  tread  of  the  seamen  was  heard,  as  thr.y 
stamped  the  deck  in  the  circle  of  their  march.  For  a  few 
minutes  no  other  sounds  were  heard,  if  we  except  the  voice 


32 


xrbe  pflot 


of  an  officer,  occasionally  cheering  the  sailors,  when  it  was 
announced  that  they  ' '  were  short "  ;  or  in  other  words,  that 
the  ship  was  nearly  over  her  anchor. 

"Heave  and  pall,"  cried  Griffith;  when  the  quivering 
notes  of  the  whistle  were  again  succeeded  by  a  general  still- 
ness in  the  vessel. 

*  *  What  is  to  be  done  now,  sir  ?  "  continued  the  lieutenant ; 
"shall  we  trip  the  anchor?  There  seems  not  a  breath  of 
air ;  and  as  the  tide  runs  slack,  I  doubt  whether  the  sea  do 
not  heave  the  ship  ashore. 

There  was  so  much  obvious  truth  in  this  conjecture,  that 
all  eyes  turned  from  the  light  and  animation  afforded  by  the 
decks  of  the  frigate,  to  look  abroad  on  the  waters,  in  a  vain 
desire  to  pierce  the  darkness,  as  if  to  read  the  fate  of  their 
apparently  devoted  ship,  from  the  aspect  of  nature. 

"  I  leave  all  to  the  pilot,"  said  the  captain,  after  he  had 
stood  a  short  time  by  the  side  of  Griffith,  anxiously  studying 
the  heavens  and  the  ocean.    "What  say  you,^|Mr.  Gray?f' 

The  man  who  was  thus  first  addressed  by  name^as  lean- 
ing over  the  bulwarks,  with  his  eyes  fixed  in  the  same  direc- 
tion as  the  others ;  but  as  he  answered  he  turned  his  face 
towards  the  speaker,  and  the  light  from  the  deck  fell  full  upon 
his  quiet  features,  which  exhibited  a  calmness  bordering  on 
the  supernatural,  considering  his  station  and  responsibility. 

"There  is  much  to  fear  from  this  heavy  ground- swell," 
he  said,  in  the  same  unmoved  tones  as  before  ;  "but  there 
is  certain  destruction  to  us,  if  the  gale  that  is  brewing  in  the 
east  finds  us  waiting  its  fury  in  this  wild  anchorage.  All 
the  hemp  that  ever  was  spun  into  cordage  would  not  hold  a 
ship  an  hour,  chafing  on  these  rocks,  with  a  northeaster 
pouring  its  fury  on  her.  If  the  powers  of  man  can  compass 
it,  gentlemen,  we  must  get  an  offing,  and  that  speedily." 

' '  You  say  no  more,  sir,  than  the  youngest  boy  in  the  ship 
can  see  for  himself, ' '  said  Griffith ;  "  ha  !  here  comes  the 
schooner  ! ' ' 

The  dashing  of  the  long  sweeps  in  the  water  was  now 
plainly  audible,  and  the  little  Ariel  was  seen  through  the 
gloom,  moving  heavily  under  their  feeble  impulse.  As  she 
passed  slowly  under  the  stern  of  the  frigate,  the  cheerful 


UDe  pilot 


33 


voice  of  Barnstable  was  first  heard,  opening  the  communica- 
tions between  them. 

"Here's  a  night  for  spectacles,  Captain  Munson  !  "  he 
cried ;  "but  I  thought  I  heard  your  fife,  sir.  I  trust  in  God, 
you  do  not  mean  to  ride  it  out  here  till  morning  ?  ' ' 

"I  like  the  berth  as  little  as  yourself,  Mr.  Barnstable," 
returned  the  veteran  seaman,  in  his  calm  manner,  in  which 
anxiety  was,  however,  beginning  to  grow  evident.  "We 
are  short ;  but  are  afraid  to  let  go  our  hold  of  the  bottom, 
lest  the  sea  cast  us  ashore.  How  make  you  out  the 
wind?" 

* '  Wind  ! ' '  echoed  the  other ;  '  *  there  is  not  enough  to 
blow  a  lady's  curl  aside.  If  you  wait,  sir,  till  the  land- 
breeze  fills  your  sails,  you  will  wait  another  moon.  I  be- 
lieve I  've  got  my  egg-shell  out  of  that  nest  of  gray-caps ; 
but  how  it  has  been  done  in  the  dark,  a  better  man  than  my- 
self must  explain. ' ' 

"Take  your  directions  from  the  Pilot,  Mr.  Barnstable," 
returned  his  commanding  ofl5cer,  * '  and  follow  them  strictly 
and  to  the  letter." 

A  deathlike  silence,  in  both  vessels,  succeeded  this  order ; 
for  all  seemed  to  listen  eagerly  to  catch  the  words  that  fell 
from  the  man  on  whom,  even  the  boys  now  felt,  depended 
their  only  hopes  for  safety.  A  short  time  was  suffered  to 
elapse,  before  his  voice  was  heard,  in  the  same  low  but  dis- 
tinct tones  as  before : 

"Your  sweeps  will  soon  be  of  no  service  to  you,"  he  said, 
"  against  the  sea  that  begins  to  heave  in  ;  but  your  light 
sails  will  help  them  to  get  you  out.  So  long  as  you  can  head 
east-and-by-north,  you  are  doing  well,  and  you  can  stand  on 
till  you  open  the  light  from  that  northern  headland,  when 
you  can  heave  to,  and  fire  a  gun  ;  but  if,  as  I  dread,  you  are 
struck  aback  before  you  open  the  light,  you  may  trust  to 
your  lead  on  the  larboard  tack  ;  but  beware,  with  your  head 
to  the  southward,  for  no  lead  will  serve  you  there." 

* '  I  can  walk  over  the  same  ground  on  one  tack  as  on  the 
other,"  said  Barnstable,  "and  make  both  legs  of  a  length." 

"  It  will  not  do,"  returned  the  Pilot.  "If  you  fall  ofi"  a 
point  to  starboard  from  east-and-by-north,  in  going  large,  you 


34 


TTbe  pilot 


will  find  both  rocks  and  points  of  shoals  to  bring  you  up  ;  and 
beware,  as  I  tell  you,  of  the  starboard  tack." 

'  *  And  how  shall  I  find  my  way  ?  you  will  let  me  trust  to 
neither  time,  lead,  nor  log." 

You  must  trust  to  a  quick  eye  and  a  ready  hand.  The 
breakers  only  will  show  you  the  dangers,  when  you  are  not 
able  to  make  out  the  bearings  of  the  land.  Tack  in  season, 
sir,  and  don't  spare  the  lead  when  you  head  to  port." 

' '  Ay,  ay, ' '  returned  Barnstable,  in  a  low  muttering  voice. 

*  *  This  is  a  sort  of  blind  navigation  with  a  vengeance,  and 
all  for  no  purpose  that  I  can  see — see!  damme,  eyesight  is 
of  about  as  much  use  now  as  a  man's  nose  would  be  in  read- 
ing the  Bible." 

"Softly,  softly,  Mr.  Barnstable,"  interrupted  his  com- 
mander,— for  such  was  the  anxious  stillness  in  both  vessels 
that  even  the  rattling  of  the  schooner's  rigging  was  heard, 
as  she  rolled  in  the  trough  of  the  sea, — "  the  duty  on  which 
Congress  has  sent  us  must  be  performed,  at  the  hazard  of 
our  lives." 

"  I  don't  mind  my  life.  Captain  Munson,"  said  Barnstable, 

*  *  but  there  is  a  great  want  of  conscience  in  trusting  a  vessel 
in  such  a  place  as  this.  However,  it  is  a  time  to  do,  and  not 
to  talk.  But  if  there  be  such  danger  to  an  easy  draught  of 
water,  what  will  become  of  the  frigate  ?  had  I  not  better  play 
jackal,  and  try  and  feel  the  way  for  you?  " 

I  thank  you,"  said  the  Pilot;  "the  offer  is  generous, 
but  would  avail  us  nothing.  I  have  the  advantage  of  know- 
ing the  ground  well,  and  must  trusttomy  memory  and  God's 
good  favor.  Make  sail,  make  sail,  sir,  and  if  you  succeed, 
we  will  venture  to  break  ground." 

The  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  in  a  very  short  time 
the  Ariel  was  covered  with  canvas.  Though  no  air  was 
perceptible  on  the  decks  of  the  frigate,  the  little  schooner 
was  so  light,  that  she  succeeded  in  stemming  her  way  over 
the  rising  waves,  aided  a  little  by  the  tide ;  and  in  a  few 
minutes  her  low  hull  was  just  discernible  in  the  streak  of 
light  along  the  horizon,  with  the  dark  outline  of  her  sails 
rising  above  the  sea,  until  their  fanciful  summits  were  lost  in 
the  shadows  of  the  clouds. 


Zbc  pilot 


35 


Griffith  had  listened  to  the  foregoing  dialogue  like  the  rest 
of  the  junior  officers,  in  profound  silence;  but  when  the 
Ariel  began  to  grow  indistinct  to  the  eyes,  he  jumped  lightly 
from  the  gun  to  the  deck,  and  cried, — 

' '  She  slips  off,  like  a  vessel  from  the  stocks  !  shall  I  trip 
the  anchor,  sir,  and  follow  ?  ' ' 

We  have  no  choice,"  replied  his  captain.  '*You  hear 
the  question,  Mr.  Gray  ?  shall  we  let  go  the  bottom  ? ' ' 

It  must  be  done.  Captain  Munson  ;  we  may  want  more 
drift  than  the  rest  of  this  tide  to  get  us  to  a  place  of  safety, ' ' 
said  the  Pilot.  * '  I  would  give  five  years  from  a  life  that  I 
know  will  be  short,  if  the  ship  lay  one  mile  farther  sea- 
ward. ' ' 

This  remark  was  unheard  by  all,  except  the  commander 
of  the  frigate,  who  again  walked  aside  with  the  Pilot,  where 
they  resumed  their  mysterious  communications.  The  words 
of  assent  were  no  sooner  uttered,  however,  than  Griffith 
gave  forth  from  his  trumpet  the  command  to  "  Heave 
away  !  ' '  Again  the  strains  of  the  fife  were  followed  by  the 
tread  of  the  men  at  the  capstan.  At  the  same  time  ^at 
the  anchor  was  heaving  up,  the  sails  were  loosened  from  the 
yards,  and  opened  to  invite  the  breeze.  In  effecting  this 
duty,  orders  were  thundered  through  the  trumpet  of  the 
first  lieutenant,  and  executed  with  the  rapidity  of  thought. 
Men  were  to  be  seen,  like  spots  in  the  dim  light  from  the 
heavens,  lying  on  every  yard,  or  hanging  as  in  air,  while 
strange  cries  were  heard  issuing  from  every  part  of  the  rig- 
ging, and  each  spar  of  the  vessel.  "  Ready  the  foreroyal," 
cried  a  shrill  voice,  as  if  from  the  clouds  ;  ' '  Ready  the  fore- 
yard,"  uttered  the  hoarser  tones  of  a  seaman  beneath  him  ; 
**A11  ready  aft,  sir,"  cried  a  third,  from  another  quarter; 
and  in  a  few  minutes  the  order  was  given  to  "  Let  fall." 

The  little  light  which  fell  from  the  sky  was  now  excluded 
by  the  falling  canvas,  and  a  deeper  gloom  was  cast  athwart 
the  decks  of  the  ship,  that  served  to  render  the  brilliancy 
of  the  lanterns  even  vivid,  while  it  gave  to  objects  outboard 
a  more  appalling  and  dreary  appearance  than  before. 

Every  individual,  excepting  the  commander  and  his  asso- 
ciate, was  now  earnestly  engaged  in  getting  the  ship  under 


36 


Xlbe  pilot 


way.  The  sounds  of  "  We  're  away,"  were  repeated  by  a 
burst  from  fifty  voices,  and  the  rapid  evolutions  of  the  cap- 
stan announced  that  nothing  but  the  weight  of  the  anchor 
was  to  be  lifted.  The  hauling  of  cordage,  the  rattling  of 
blocks,  blended  with  the  shrill  calls  of  the  boatswain  and 
his  mates,  succeeded ;  and  though  to  a  landsman  all  would 
have  appeared  confusion  and  hurry,  long  practice  and  strict 
discipline  enabled  the  crew  to  exhibit  their  ship  under  a 
cloud  of  canvas,  from  her  deck  to  the  trucks,  in  less  time 
than  we  have  consumed  in  relating  it. 

For  a  few  minutes,  the  officers  were  not  disappointed  by 
the  result ;  for  though  the  heavy  sails  flapped  lazily  against 
the  masts,  the  light  duck  on  the  loftier  spars  swelled  out- 
wardly, and  the  ship  began  sensibly  to  yield  to  their  in- 
fluence. 

She  travels  !  she  travels  !  "  exclaimed  Griffith,  joyously  ; 
*'ah,  the  hussy  !  she  has  as  much  antipathy  to  the  land  as 
any  fish  that  swims  :  it  blows  a  little  gale  aloft,  yet !  ' ' 

"We  feel  its  dying  breath,"  said  the  Pilot,  in  low,  sooth- 
ing tones,  but  in  a  manner  so  sudden  as  to  startle  Griffith, 
at  whose  elbow  they  were  unexpectedly  uttered.  ' '  Let  us 
forget,  young  man,  everything  but  the  number  of  lives  that 
depend,  this  night,  on  your  exertions  and  my  knowledge." 

* '  If  you  be  but  half  as  able  to  exhibit  the  one,  as  I  am 
willing  to  make  the  other,  we  shall  do  well, ' '  returned  the 
lieutenant,  in  the  same  tone.  * '  Remember,  whatever  may 
be  your  feelings,  that  we  are  on  the  enemy's  coast,  and  love 
it  not  enough  to  wish  to  lay  our  bones  there. ' ' 

With  this  brief  explanation  they  separated,  the  vessel 
requiring  the  constant  and  close  attention  of  the  officer  to 
her  movements. 

The  exultation  produced  in  the  crew  by  the  progress  of 
their  ship  through  the  water  was  of  short  duration  ;  for  the 
breeze  that  had  seemed  to  await  their  motions,  after  forcing 
the  vessel  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  fluttered  for  a  few  min- 
utes amid  their  light  canvas,  and  then  left  them  entirely. 
The  quartermaster,  whose  duty  it  was  to  superintend  the 
helm,  soon  announced  that  he  was  losing  the  command  of 
the  vessel,  as  she  was  no  longer  obedient  to  her  rudder. 


Ube  pilot 


37 


This  ungrateful  intelligence  was  promptly  communicated  to 
his  commander  by  GriflSth,  who  suggested  the  propriety  of 
again  dropping  an  anchor. 

''I  refer  you  to  Mr.  Gray,"  returned  the  captain;  "he 
is  the  pilot,  sir,  and  with  him  rests  the  safety  of  the 
vessel. ' ' 

"  Pilots  sometimes  lose  ships  as  well  as  save  them,"  said 
Grifl&th  :  "  know  you  the  man  well.  Captain  Munson,  who 
holds  all  our  lives  in  his  keeping,  and  so  coolly  as  if  he 
cared  but  little  for  the  venture  ?  ' ' 

"  Mr.  Griffith,  I  do  know  him  ;  he  is,  in  my  opinion,  both 
competent  and  faithful.  This  much  I  tell  you,  to  relieve 
your  anxiety  ;  more  you  must  not  ask  ;  but  is  there  not  a 
shift  of  wind  ? ' ' 

' '  God  forbid  !  ' '  exclaimed  his  lieutenant ;  * '  if  that  north- 
easter catches  us  within  the  shoals,  our  case  will  be  desperate, 
indeed  !  ' ' 

The  heavy  rolling  of  the  vessel  caused  an  occasional  ex- 
pansion, and  as  sudden  a  reaction,  in  their  sails,  which  left 
the  oldest  seaman  in  the  ship  in  doubt  which  way  the  cur- 
rents of  air  were  passing,  or  whether  there  existed  any  that 
were  not  created  by  the  flapping  of  their  own  canvas.  The 
head  of  the  ship,  however,  began  to  fall  off  from  the  sea, 
and  notwithstanding  the  darkness,  it  soon  became  apparent 
that  she  was  driving  in,  bodily,  towards  the  shore. 

During  these  few  minutes  of  gloomy  doubt,  Griffith,  by 
one  of  those  sudden  revulsions  of  the  mind,  that  connect 
the  opposite  extremes  of  feeling,  lost  his  animated  anxiety, 
and  relapsed  into  the  listless  apathy  that  so  often  came  over 
him,  even  in  the  most  critical  moments  of  trial  and  danger. 
He  was  standing  with  one  elbow  resting  on  his  capstan, 
shading  his  eyes  from  the  light  of  the  battle-lantern  that 
stood  near  him  with  one  hand,  when  he  felt  a  gentle  pressure 
of  the  other,  that  recalled  his  recollection.  Looking  affec- 
tionately, though  still  recklessly,  at  the  boy  who  stood  at  his 
side,  he  said, — 

Dull  music,  Mr.  Merry." 

"  So  dull,  sir,  that  I  can't  dance  to  it,"  returned  the  mid- 
shipman.     Nor  do  I  believe  there  is  a  man  in  the  ship  who 


38 


XTbe  IMlot 


would  not  rather  hear  '  The  girl  I  left  behind  me, '  than 
those  execrable  sounds. ' ' 

What  sounds,  boy  ?  The  ship  is  as  quiet  as  the  Quaker 
meeting  in  the  Jerseys,  before  your  good  old  grandfather 
used  to  break  the  charm  of  silence  with  his  sonorous  voice. ' ' 

"Ah!  laugh  at  my  peaceable  blood,  if  thou  wilt,  Mr. 
Griffith,"  said  the  arch  youngster  ;  "but  remember,  there  is 
a  mixture  of  it  in  all  sorts  of  veins.  I  wish  I  could  hear 
one  of  the  old  gentleman's  chants  now,  sir  ;  I  could  always 
sleep  to  them,  like  a  gull  in  the  surf.  But  he  that  sleeps 
to-night,  with  that  lullaby,  will  make  a  nap  of  it. ' ' 

"  Sounds  !  I  hear  no  sounds,  boy,  but  the  flapping  aloft ; 
even  that  Pilot,  who  struts  the  quarter-deck  like  an  admiral, 
has  nothing  to  say." 

"  Is  not  that  a  sound  to  open  a  seaman's  ear  ?  " 

"  It  is  in  truth  a  heavy  roll  of  the  surf,  lad,  but  the  night 
air  carries  it  heavily  to  our  ears.  Know  you  not  the  sound 
of  the  surf  yet,  younker  ?  ' ' 

"I  know  it  too  well,  Mr.  Griffith,  and  do  not  wish  to 
know  it  better.  How  fast  are  we  tumbling  in  towards  that 
surf,  sir  ?  " 

"  I  think  we  hold  our  own,"  said  Griffith,  rousing  again  ; 
"  though  we  had  better  anchor.  lyuff,  fellow,  luff;  you  are 
broadside  to  the  sea  !  ' ' 

The  man  at  the  wheel  repeated  his  former  intelligence, 
adding  a  suggestion,  that  he  thought  the  ship  ' '  was  gather- 
ing stern-way." 

"  Haul  up  your  courses,  Mr.  Griffith,"  said  Captain  Mun- 
son,  "  and  let  us  feel  the  wind." 

The  rattling  of  the  blocks  was  soon  heard,  and  the  enor- 
mous sheets  of  canvas  that  hung  from  the  lower  yards  were 
instantly  suspended  "in  the  brails."  When  this  change 
was  effected,  all  on  board  stood  silent  and  breathless,  as  if 
expecting  to  learn  their  fate  by  the  result.  Several  contra- 
dictor opinions  were  at  length  hazarded  among  the  officers, 
when  Griffith  seized  the  candle  from  the  lantern,  and  spring- 
ing on  one  of  the  guns,  held  it  on  high,  exposed  to  the 
action  of  the  air.  The  little  flame  w^aved,  with  uncertain 
glimmering,  for  a  moment,  and  then  burned  steadily,  in  a 


Xrbe  pilot 


39 


line  with  the  masts.  Griffith  was  about  to  lower  his  ex- 
tended arm,  when,  feeling  a  slight  sensation  of  coolness  on 
his  hand,  he  paused,  and  the  light  turned  slowly  towards 
the  land,  flared,  flickered,  and  finally  deserted  the  wick. 

"  Lose  not  a  moment,  Mr.  Griffith,  "cried  the  Pilot,  aloud  ; 
*'  clew  up  and  furl  everything  but  your  three  topsails,  and 
let  them  be  double-reefed.  Now  is  the  time  to  fulfill  your 
promise. ' ' 

The  young  man  paused  one  moment  in  astonishment,  as 
the  clear,  distinct  tones  of  the  stranger  struck  his  ears  so 
unexpectedly  ;  but  turning  his  eyes  to  seaward,  he  sprang 
on  the  deck,  and  proceeded  to  obey  the  order,  as  if  life  and 
death  depended  on  his  despatch. 


CHAPTER  V. 


"She  rights  !  she  rights,  boys  !  wear  oflF shore." 

Song. 

THE  extraordinary  activity  of  Griffith,  which  com- 
municated itself  with  promptitude  to  the  crew,  was 
produced  by  a  sudden  alteration  in  the  weather. 
In  place  of  the  well-defined  streak  along  the  hori- 
zon, that  has  been  already  described,  an  immense  body  of 
misty  light  appeared  to  be  moving  in,  with  rapidity,  from 
the  ocean,  while  a  distinct  but  distant  roaring  announced  the 
sure  approach  of  the  tempest  that  had  so  long  troubled  the 
waters.  Even  Griffith,  while  thundering  his  orders  through 
the  trumpet,  and  urging  the  men,  by  his  cries,  to  expedi- 
tion, would  pause,  for  instants,  to  cast  anxious  glances  in 
the  direction  of  the  coming  storm  ;  and  the  faces  of  the 
sailors  who  lay  on  the  yards  were  turned,  instinctively, 
towards  the  same  quarter  of  the  heavens,  while  they  knotted 
the  reef-points,  or  passed  the  gasjsets,  that  were  to  confine 
the  unruly  canvas  to  the  prescribed  limits. 

The  Pilot  alone,  in  that  confused  and  busy  throng,  where 
voice  rose  above  voice,  and  cry  echoed  cry,  in  quick  succes- 
sion, appeared  as  if  he  held  no  interest  in  the  important 
stake.  With  his  eyes  steadily  fixed  on  the  approaching 
mist,  and  his  arms  folded  together  in  composure,  he  stood 
calmly  waiting  the  result. 

The  ship  had  fallen  off,  with  her  broadside  to  the  sea,  and 
was  become  unmanageable,  and  the  sails  were  already 
brought  into  the  folds  necessary  to  her  security,  when  the 
quick  and  heavy  fluttering  of  canvas  was  thrown  across  the 
water,  with  all  the  gloomy  and  chilling  sensations  that  such 


Zbc  pilot 


41 


sounds  produce,  where  darkness  and  danger  unite  \o  appall 
the  seaman. 

"  The  schooner  has  it !  "  cried  Griffith  ;  Barnstable  has 
held  on,  like  himself,  to  the  last  moment.  God  send  that 
the  squall  leave  him  cloth  enough  to  keep  him  from  the 
shore  ! ' ' 

"  His  sails  are  easily  handled,"  the  commander  observed, 
"  and  she  must  be  over  the  principal  danger.  We  are  fall- 
ing off  before  it,  Mr.  Gray  ;  shall  we  try  a  cast  of  the  lead  ?  ' ' 

The  Pilot  turned  from  his  contemplative  posture,  and 
moved  slowly  across  the  deck  before  he  returned  any  reply 
to  this  question,  like  a  man  who  not  only  felt  that  every- 
thing depended  on  himself,  but  that  he  was  equal  to  the 
emergency. 

" 'T  is  unnecessary,"  he  at  length  said;  '''twould  be 
certain  destruction  to  be  taken  aback  ;  and  it  is  difficult  to 
say,  within  several  points,  how  the  wind  may  strike  us." 

'''Tis  difficult  no  longer,"  cried  Griffith;  "for  here  it 
comes,  and  in  right  earnest ! ' ' 

The  rushing  sounds  of  the  wind  were  now,  indeed,  heard 
at  hand  ;  and  the  words  were  hardly  past  the  lips  of  the 
young  lieutenant,  before  the  vessel  bowed  down  heavily  to 
one  side,  and  then,  as  she  began  to  move  through  the  water, 
rose  again  majestically  to  her  upright  position,  as  if  saluting, 
like  a  courteous  champion,  the  powerful  antagonist  with 
which  she  was  about  to  contend.  Not  another  minute 
elapsed,  before  the  ship  was  throwing  the  waters  aside,  with 
a  lively  progress,  and,  obedient  to  her  helm,  was  brought  as 
near  to  the  desired  course  as  the  direction  of  the  wind  would 
allow.  The  hurry  and  bustle  on  the  yards  gradually  sub- 
sided, and  the  men  slowly  descended  to  the  deck,  all  strain- 
ing their  eyes  to  pierce  the  gloom  in  which  they  were  envel- 
oped, and  some  shaking  their  heads,  in  melancholy  doubt, 
afraid  to  express  the  apprehensions  they  really  entertained. 
All  on  board  anxiously  waited  for  the  fury  of  the  gale  ;  for 
there  were  none  so  ignorant  or  inexperienced  in  that  gallant 
frigate,  as  not  to  know  that  as  yet  they  only  felt  the  infant 
efforts  of  the  wind.  Bach  moment,  however,  it  increased  in 
power,  though  so  gradual  was  the  alteration,  that  the  relieved 


42 


XTbe  pilot 


mariners  began  to  believe  that  all  their  gloomy  forebodings 
were  not  to  be  realized.  During  this  short  '.nterval  of  un- 
certainty, no  other  sounds  were  heard  than  the  whistling  of 
the  breeze,  as  it  passed  quickly  through  the  mass  of  rigging 
that  belonged  to  the  vessel,  and  the  dashing  of  the  spray 
that  began  to  fly  from  her  bows,  like  the  foam  of  a  cataract. 

* '  It  blows  fresh,"  cried  Grifiith,  who  was  the  first  to  speak 
in  that  moment  of  doubt  and  anxiety  ;  ' '  but  it  is  no  more 
than  a  cap- full  of  wind  after  all.  Give  us  elbow-room,  and 
the  right  canvas,  Mr.  Pilot,  and  I  '11  handle  the  ship  like  a 
gentleman's  yacht,  in  this  breeze." 

' '  Will  she  stay,  think  ye,  under  this  sail  ?  ' '  said  the  low 
voice  of  the  stranger. 

"  She  will  do  all  that  man,  in  reason,  can  ask  of  wood  and 
iron,"  returned  the  lieutenant ;  "  but  the  vessel  don't  float 
the  ocean  that  will  tack  under  double-reefed  topsails  alone, 
against  a  heavy  sea.  Help  her  with  the  courses,  Pilot,  and 
you  shall  see  her  come  round  like  a  dancing-master. ' ' 

"  Let  us  feel  the  strength  of  the  gale  first,"  returned  the 
man  who  was  called  Mr.  Gray,  moving  from  the  side  of 
Grifiith  to  the  weather  gangway  of  the  vessel,  where  he  stood 
in  silence,  looking  ahead  of  the  ship,  with  an  air  of  singular 
coolness  and  abstraction. 

All  the  lanterns  had  been  extinguished  on  the  deck  of  the 
frigate,  when  her  anchor  was  secured,  and  as  the  first  mist 
of  the  gale  had  passed  over,  it  was  succeeded  by  a  faint  light 
that  was  a  good  deal  aided  by  the  glittering  foam  of  the 
waters,  which  now  broke  in  white  curls  around  the  vessel  in 
every  direction.  The  land  could  be  fairly  discerned,  rising 
like  a  heavy  bank  of  black  fog,  above  the  margin  of  the 
waters,  and  was  only  distinguishable  from  the  heavens  by 
its  deeper  gloom  and  obscurity.  The  last  rope  was  coiled, 
and  deposited  in  its  proper  place,  by  the  seamen,  and  for  sev- 
eral minutes  the  stillness  of  death  pervaded  the  crowded 
decks.  It  was  evident  to  every  one,  that  their  ship  was 
dashing  at  a  prodigious  rate  through  the  waves,  and  as  she 
was  approaching,  with  such  velocity,  the  quarter  of  the  bay 
where  the  shoals  and  dangers  were  known  to  be  situated, 
nothing  but  the  habits  of  the  most  exact  discipline  could 


Ube  pilot 


suppress  the  uneasiness  of  the  officers  and  men  within  theii 
own  bosoms.  At  length  the  voice  of  Captain  Munson  was 
heard,  calling  to  the  Pilot. 

"  Shall  I  send  a  hand  into  the  chains,  Mr.  Gray,"  he  said; 
*  *  and  try  our  water  ?  ' ' 

Although  this  question  was  asked  aloud,  and  the  interest 
it  excited  drew  many  of  the  officers  and  men  around  him,  in 
eager  impatience  for  his  answer,  it  was  unheeded  by  the  man 
to  whom  it  was  addressed.  His  head  rested  on  his  hand,  as 
he  leaned  over  the  hammock-cloths  of  the  vessel,  and  his 
whole  air  was  that  of  one  whose  thoughts  wandered  from  the 
pressing  necessity  of  their  situation.  Griffith  was  among 
those  who  had  approached  the  Pilot ;  and  after  waiting  a  mo- 
ment, from  respect,  to  hear  the  answer  to  his  commander's 
question,  he  presumed  on  his  own  rank,  and  leaving  the 
circle  that  stood  at  a  little  distance,  stepped  to  the  side  of  the 
mysterious  guardian  of  their  lives. 

' '  Captain  Munson  desires  to  know  whether  you  wish  a 
cast  of  the  lead  ?  ' '  said  the  young  officer,  with  a  little  impa- 
tience of  manner.  No  immediate  answer  was  made  to  this 
repetition  of  the  question,  and  Griffith  laid  his  hand  uncere- 
moniously on  the  shoulder  of  the  other,  with  an  intent  to 
rouse  him  before  he  made  another  application  for  a  reply, 
but  the  convulsive  start  of  the  Pilot  held  him  silent  in 
amazement. 

Fall  back  there,"  said  the  lieutenant,  sternly,  to  the 
men,  who  were  closing  around  them  in  a  compact  circle  ; 
**away  with  you  to  your  stations,  and  see  all  clear  for 
stays."  The  dense  mass  of  heads  dissolved,  at  this  order, 
like  the  water  of  one  of  the  waves  commingling  with  the 
ocean,  and  the  lieutenant  and  his  companions  were  left  by 
themselves. 

''This  is  not  a  time  for  musing,  Mr.  Gray,"  continued 
Griffith  ;  ' '  remember  our  compact,  and  look  to  your  charge  ; 
is  it  not  time  to  put  the  vessel  in  stays  ?  of  what  are  you 
dreaming  ? ' ' 

The  Pilot  laid  his  hand  on  the  extended  arm  of  the  lieu- 
tenant  and  grasped  it  with  a  convulsive  pressure,  as  he  an* 
swered, — 


44 


Ubc  pilot 


*"Tis  a  dream  of  reality.  You  are  young,  Mr.  Griffith, 
nor  am  I  past  the  noon  of  life ;  but  should  you  live  fifty 
years  longer,  you  never  can  see  and  experience  what  I  have 
encountered  in  my  little  period  of  three-and- thirty  years  ! ' ' 

A  good  deal  astonished  at  this  burst  of  feeling,  so  singu- 
lar at  such  a  moment,  the  young  sailor  v^as  at  a  loss  for  a 
reply ;  but  as  his  duty  v^as  uppermost  in  his  thoughts,  he 
still  dwelt  on  the  theme  that  most  interested  him. 

* '  I  hope  much  of  your  experience  has  been  on  this  coast, 
for  the  ship  travels  lively,"  he  said,  ''and  the  daylight 
showed  us  so  much  to  dread,  that  we  do  not  feel  over-valiant 
in  the  dark.  How  much  longer  shall  we  stand  on,  upon 
this  tack?" 

The  Pilot  turned  slowly  from  the  side  of  the  vessel,  and 
walked  towards  the  commander  of  the  frigate,  as  he  replied, 
in  a  tone  that  seemed  deeply  agitated  by  his  melancholy  re- 
flections,— 

*'You  have  your  wish,  then;  much,  very  much  of  my 
early  life  was  passed  on  this  dreaded  coast.  What  to  you 
is  all  darkness  and  gloom,  to  me  is  light  as  if  a  noon-day 
sun  shone  upon  it.  But  tack  your  ship,  sir,  tack  your  ship ; 
I  would  see  how  she  works  before  we  reach  the  point  where 
she  must  behave  well,  or  we  perish." 

Griffith  gazed  after  him  in  wonder,  while  the  Pilot  slowly 
paced  the  quarter-deck,  and  then,  rousing  from  his  trance, 
gave  forth  the  cheering  order  that  called  each  man  to  his 
station,  to  perform  the  desired  evolution.  The  confident 
assurances  which  the  young  officer  had  given  to  the  Pilot 
respecting  the  qualities  of  his  vessel,  and  his  own  ability  to 
manage  her,  were  fully  realized  by  the  result.  The  helm 
was  no  sooner  put  a-lee,  than  the  huge  ship  bore  up  gal- 
lantly against  the  wind,  and  dashing  directly  through  the 
waves,  threw  the  foam  high  into  the  air,  as  she  looked  boldly 
into  the  very  eye  of  the  wind ;  and  then,  yielding  grace- 
fully to  its  power,  she  fell  off  on  the  other  tack,  with  her 
head  pointed  from  those  dangerous  shoals  that  she  had  so 
recently  approached  with  such  terrifying  velocity.  The 
heavy  yards  swung  round,  as  if  they  had  been  vanes  to 
indicate  the  currents  of  the  air ;  and  in  a  few  moments  the 


Ubc  pilot 


45 


frigate  again  moved,  with  stately  progress,  through  the 
water,  leaving  the  rocks  and  shoals  behind  her  on  one  side 
of  the  bay,  but  advancing  towards  those  that  offered  equal 
danger  on  the  other. 

During  this  time  the  sea  was  becoming  more  agitated, 
and  the  violence  of  the  wind  was  gradually  increasing. 
The  latter  no  longer  whistled  amid  the  cordage  of  the  ves- 
sel, but  it  seemed  to  howl,  surlily,  as  it  passed  the  compli- 
cated machinery  that  the  frigate  obtruded  on  its  path.  An 
endless  succession  of  white  surges  rose  above  the  heavy 
billows,  and  the  very  air  was  glittering  with  the  light  that 
was  disengaged  from  the  ocean.  The  ship  yielded,  each 
moment,  more  and  more  before  the  storm,  and  in  less  than 
half  an  hour  from  the  time  that  she  had  lifted  her  anchor, 
she  was  driven  along  with  tremendous  fury  by  the  full 
power  of  a  gale  of  wind.  Still,  the  hardy  and  experienced 
mariners  who  directed  her  movements  held  her  to  the  course 
that  was  necessary  to  their  preservation,  and  still  Griffith 
gave  forth,  when  directed  hy  their  unknown  Pilot,  those 
orders  that  turned  her  in  the  narrow  channel  where  alone 
safety  was  to  be  found. 

So  far,  the  performance  of  his  duty  appeared  easy  to  the 
stranger,  and  he  gave  the  required  directions  in  those  still, 
calm  tones,  that  formed  so  remarkable  a  contrast  to  the  re- 
sponsibility of  his  situation.  But  when  the  land  was  becom- 
ing dim,  in  distance  as  well  as  darkness,  and  the  agitated 
sea  alone  was  to  be  discovered  as  it  swept  by  them  in  foam, 
he  broke  in  upon  the  monotonous  roaring  of  the  tempest 
with  the  sounds  of  his  voice,  seeming  to  shake  off  his 
apathy,  and  rouse  himself  to  the  occasion. 

"  Now  is  the  time  to  watch  her  closely,  Mr.  Griffith,"  he 
cried ;  ' '  here  we  get  the  true  tide  and  the  real  danger. 
Place  the  best  quartermaster  of  your  ship  in  those  chains, 
and  let  an  officer  stand  by  him,  and  see  that  he  gives  us  the 
right  water. ' ' 

' '  I  will  take  that  office  on  myself, ' '  said  the  captain ; 
pass  a  light  into  the  weather  main-chains." 
* '  Stand  by  your  braces  !  ' '  exclaimed  the  Pilot,  with  start- 
ling quickness.    '  *  Heave  away  that  lead  !  ' ' 


46 


Ube  pilot 


These  preparations  taught  the  crew  to  expect  the  crisis, 
and  every  oflScer  and  man  stood  in  fearful  silence,  at  his  as- 
signed station,  awaiting  the  issue  of  the  trial.  Even  the 
quartermaster  at  the  cun  gave  out  his  orders  to  the  men  at 
the  wheel,  in  deeper  and  hoarser  tones  than  usual,  as  if 
anxious  not  to  disturb  the  quiet  and  order  of  the  vessel. 

While  this  deep  expectation  pervaded  the  frigate,  the 
piercing  cry  of  the  leadsman,  as  he  called  *'  By  the  mark 
seven,"  rose  above  the  tempest,  crossed  over  the  decks,  and 
appeared  to  pass  away  to  leeward,  borne  on  the  blast  like 
the  warnings  of  some  water  spirit. 

'Tis  well,"  returned  the  Pilot,  calmly  ;     try  it  again." 

The  short  pause  was  succeeded  by  another  cry,  ' '  And 
a  half-five!" 

' '  She  shoals  !  she  shoals  !  ' '  exclaimed  Grifiith  ;  *  *  keep 
her  a  good  full." 

Ay  !  you  must  hold  the  vessel  in  command,  now,"  said 
the  Pilot,  with  those  cool  tones  that  are  most  appalling  in 
critical  moments,  because  they  seem  to  denote  most  prepa- 
ration and  care. 

The  third  call,  "  By  the  deep  four !  "  was  followed  by  a 
prompt  direction  from  the  stranger  to  tack. 

Griffith  seemed  to  emulate  the  coolness  of  the  Pilot,  in 
issuing  the  necessary  orders  to  execute  this  manoeuvre. 

The  vessel  rose  slowly  from  the  inclined  position  into 
which  she  had  been  forced  by  the  tempest,  and  the  sails 
were  shaking  violently,  as  if  to  release  themselves  from 
their  confinement,  while  the  ship  stemmed  the  billows,  when 
the  well-known  voice  of  the  sailing-master  was  heard  shout- 
ing from  the  forecastle, — 

Breakers  !  breakers,  dead  ahead  !  " 

This  appalling  sound  seemed  yet  to  be  lingering  about 
the  ship,  when  a  second  voice  cried, — 

' '  Breakers  on  our  lee-bow  !  ' ' 

**We  are  in  a  bight  of  the  shoals,  Mr.  Gray,"  cried  the 
commander.  ' '  She  loses  her  way  ;  perhaps  an  anchor  might 
hold  her." 

'  *  Clear  away  that  best  bower  ! ' '  shouted  Griffith  through 
his  trtunpet. 


Ubc  mot 


47 


**  Hold  on  !  "  cried  the  Pilot,  in  a  voice  that  reached  the 
very  hearts  of  all  who  heard  him  ;     hold  on  everything." 

The  young  man  turned  fiercely  to  the  daring  stranger 
who  thus  defied  the  discipline  of  his  vessel,  and  at  once 
demanded, — 

' '  Who  is  it  that  dares  to  countermand  my  orders  ?  is  it 
not  enough  that  you  run  the  ship  into  danger,  but  you  must 
interfere  to  keep  her  there  ?    If  another  word — ' ' 

"Peace,  Mr.  Griffith, "  interrupted  the  captain,  bending 
from  the  rigging,  his  gray  locks  blowing  about  in  the  wind, 
and  adding  a  look  of  wildness  to  the  haggard  care  that  he 
exhibited  by  the  light  of  his  lantern  ;  ' '  yield  the  trumpet  to 
Mr.  Gray  ;  he  alone  can  save  us." 

Griffith  threw  his  speaking-trumpet  on  the  deck,  and  as 
he  walked  proudly  away,  muttered  in  bitterness  of  feel- 
ing— 

"Then  all  is  lost,  indeed  !  and  among  the  rest,  the  foolish 
hopes  with  which  I  visited  this  coast. ' ' 

There  was,  however,  no  time  for  reply  ;  the  ship  had  been 
rapidly  running  into  the  wind,  and  as  the  efibrts  of  the 
crew  were  paralyzed  by  the  contradictory  orders  they  had 
heard,  she  gradually  lost  her  way,  and  in  a  few  seconds  all 
her  sails  were  taken  aback. 

Before  the  crew  understood  their  situation  the  Pilot  had 
applied  the  trtunpet  to  his  mouth,  and  in  a  voice  that  rose 
above  the  tempest,  he  thundered  forth  his  orders.  Each 
command  was  given  distinctly,  and  with  a  precision  that 
showed  him  to  be  master  of  his  profession.  The  helm  was 
kept  fast,  the  head-yards  swung  heavily  against  the  wind, 
and  the  vessel  was  soon  whirling  round  on  her  heel,  with  a 
retrograde  movement. 

Griffith  was  too  much  of  a  seaman  not  to  perceive  that  the 
Pilot  had  seized,  with  a  perception  almost  intuitive,  the  only 
method  that  promised  to  extricate  the  vessel  from  her  situa- 
tion. He  was  young,  impetuous,  and  proud — but  he  w^as 
also  generous.  Forgetting  his  resentment  and  his  morti- 
fication, he  rushed  forward  among  the  men,  and,  by  his 
presence  and  example,  added  certainty  to  the  experiment. 
The  ship  fell  off  slowly  before  the  gale,  and  bowed  her  yards 


48 


Ubc  pilot 


nearly  to  the  water,  as  she  felt  the  blast  pouring  its  fury  on 
her  broadside,  while  the  surly  waves  beat  violently  against 
her  stern,  as  if  in  reproach  at  departing  from  her  usual 
manner  of  moving. 

The  voice  of  the  Pilot,  however,  was  still  heard,  steady 
and  calm,  and  yet  so  clear  and  high  as  to  reach  every  ear ; 
and  the  obedient  seamen  whirled  the  yards  at  his  bidding, 
in  despite  of  the  tempest,  as  if  they  handled  the  toys  of 
their  childhood.  When  the  ship  had  fallen  off  dead  be- 
fore the  wind,  her  head-sails  were  shaken,  her  after-yards 
trimmed,  and  her  helm  shifted,  before  she  had  time  to  run 
upon  the  danger  that  had  threatened,  as  well  to  leeward  as 
to  windward.  The  beautiful  fabric,  obedient  to  her  govern- 
ment, threw  her  bows  up  gracefully  towards  the  wind  again  ; 
and,  as  her  sails  were  trimmed,  moved  out  from  amongst 
the  dangerous  shoals,  in  which  she  had  been  embayed,  as 
steadily  and  swiftly  as  she  had  approached  them. 

A  moment  of  breathless  astonishment  succeeded  the 
accomplishment  of  this  nice  manoeuvre,  but  there  was  no 
time  for  the  usual  expressions  of  surprise.  The  stran- 
ger still  held  the  trum  pet,  and  continued  to  lift  his  voice 
amid  the  bowlings  of  the  blast,  whenever  prudence  or 
skill  required  any  change  in  the  management  of  the  ship. 
For  an  hour  longer  there  was  a  fearful  struggle  for  their 
preservation,  the  channel  becoming  at  each  step  more  com- 
plicated, and  the  shoals  thickening  around  the  mariners  on 
every  side.  The  lead  was  cast  rapidly,  and  the  quick  eye 
of  the  Pilot  seemed  to  pierce  the  darkness  with  a  keenness 
of  vision  that  exceeded  human  power.  It  was  apparent  to 
all  in  the  vessel  that  they  were  under  the  guidance  of  one 
who  understood  the  navigation  thoroughly,  and  their  exer- 
tions kept  pace  with  their  reviving  confidence.  Again  and 
again  the  frigate  appeared  to  be  rushing  blindly  on  shoals 
where  the  sea  was  covered  with  foam,  and  where  destruction 
would  have  been  as  sudden  as  it  was  certain,  when  the  clear 
voice  of  the  stranger  was  heard  warning  them  of  the  danger, 
and  inciting  them  to  their  duty.  The  vessel  was  implicitly 
yielded  to  his  government ;  and  during  those  anxious  mo- 
ments when  she  was  dashing  the  waters  aside,  throwing  the 


Ube  pilot 


49 


spray  over  her  enormous  yards,  each  ear  would  listen  eagerly 
for  those  sounds  that  had  obtained  a  command  over  the 
crew,  that  can  only  be  acquired,  under  such  circumstances, 
by  great  steadiness  and  consummate  skill.  The  ship  was 
recovering  from  the  inaction  of  changing  her  course,  in  one 
of  those  critical  tacks  that  she  had  made  so  often,  when  the 
Pilot  for  the  first  time,  addressed  the  commander  of  the 
frigate,  who  still  continued  to  superintend  the  all-important 
duty  of  the  leadsman. 

"Now  is  the  pinch,"  he  said,  "  and  if  the  ship  behaves 
well,  we  are  safe  ;  but  if  otherwise,  all  we  have  yet  done 
will  be  useless. ' ' 

The  veteran  seaman  whom  he  addressed,  left  the  chains 
at  this  portentous  notice,  and  calling  to  his  first  lieutenant, 
required  of  the  stranger  an  explanation  of  his  warning. 

*  *  See  you  yon  light  on  the  southern  headland  ?  ' '  returned 
the  Pilot ;  "you  may  know  it  from  the  star  near  it,  by  its 
sinking,  at  times,  in  the  ocean.  Now  observe  the  hum- 
mock, a  little  north  of  it,  looking  like  a  shadow  in  the  hori- 
zon ;  'tis  a  hill  far  inland.  If  we  keep  that  light  open 
from  the  hill,  we  shall  do  well ;  but  if  not,  we  surely  go 
to  pieces." 

'  *  Let  us  tack  again  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  lieutenant. 

The  Pilot  shook  his  head  as  he  replied, — 

"There  is  no  more  tacking  or  box-hauling  to  be  done 
to-night.  We  have  barely  room  to  pass  out  of  the  shoals 
on  this  course;  and  if  we  can  weather  the  'Devil's  Grip,' 
we  clear  their  outermost  point ;  but  if  not,  as  I  said  before, 
there  is  but  an  alternative." 

"If  we  had  beaten  out  the  way  we  entered,"  exclaimed 
Griffith,  "  we  should  have  done  well." 

' '  Say,  also,  if  the  tide  would  have  let  us  do  so, ' '  returned 
the  Pilot,  calmly.  "Gentlemen,  we  must  be  prompt;  we 
have  but  a  mile  to  go,  and  the  ship  appears  to  fly.  That 
topsail  is  not  enough  to  keep  her  up  to  the  wind  ;  we  want 
both  jib  and  mainsail." 

"  'Tis  a  perilous  thing  to  loosen  canvas  in  such  a  tem- 
pest ! ' '  observed  the  doubtful  captain. 

"  It  must  be  done,"  returned  the  collected  stranger  ;  "  we 

4 


50 


XTbe  pilot 


perish  without  it ;  see !  the  light  already  touches  the  edge 
of  the  hummock  ;  the  sea  casts  us  to  leeward  ?  ' ' 

It  shall  be  done  !  "  cried  Griffith,  seizing  the  trumpet 
from  the  hand  of  the  Pilot. 

The  orders  of  the  lieutenant  were  executed  almost  as  soon 
as  issued  ;  and,  everything  being  ready,  the  enormous  folds 
of  the  mainsail  were  trusted  loose  to  the  blast.  There  was 
an  instant  when  the  result  was  doubtful ;  the  tremendous 
threshing  of  the  heavy  sail  seemed  to  bid  defiance  to  all  re- 
straint, shaking  the  ship  to  her  centre  ;  but  art  and  strength 
prevailed,  and  gradually  the  canvas  was  distended,  and  belly- 
ing as  it  filled,  was  drawn  down  to  its  usual  place  by  the 
power  of  a  hundred  men.  The  vessel  yielded  to  this  immense 
addition  of  force,  and  bowed  before  it  like  a  reed  bending  to 
a  breeze.  But  the  success  of  the  measure  was  announced, 
by  a  joyful  cry  from  the  stranger,  that  seemed  to  burst  from 
his  inmost  soul. 

"She  feels  it  !  she  springs  her  lufi" !  observe,"  he  said, 

the  light  opens  from  the  hummock  already  :  if  she  will  only 
bear  her  canvas,  we  shall  go  clear  !  ' ' 

A  report,  like  that  of  a  cannon,  interrupted  his  exclama- 
tion, and  something  resembling  a  white  cloud  was  seen  drift- 
ing before  the  wind  from  the  head  of  the  ship,  till  it  was 
driven  into  the  gloom  far  to  leeward. 

"/T  is  the  jib,  blown  from  the  bolt-ropes,"  said  the  com- 
mander of  the  frigate.  * '  This  is  no  time  to  spread  light 
duck — but  the  mainsail  may  stand  it  yet," 

The  sail  would  laugh  at  a  tornado,"  returned  the  lieu- 
tenant ;  "  but  the  mast  springs  like  a  piece  of  steel." 

"Silence  all  !  "  cried  the  Pilot.  "  Now,  gentlemen,  we 
shall  soon  know  our  fate.    Let  her  luff— lufi"  you  can  !  ' ' 

This  warning  effectually  closed  all  discourse,  and  the  hardy 
mariners,  knowing  that  they  had  already  done  all  in  the 
power  of  man  to  insure  their  safety,  stood  in  breathless  anx- 
iety, awaiting  the  result.  At  a  short  distance  ahead  of  them 
the  whole  ocean  was  white  with  foam,  and  the  waves,  instead 
of  rolling  on  in  regular  succession,  appeared  to  be  tossing 
about  in  mad  gambols.  A  single  streak  of  dark  billows,  not 
half  a  cable's  length  in  width,  could  be  discerned  running  into 


TTbe  pilot 


this  chaos  of  water  ;  but  it  was  soon  lost  to  the  eye  amid  the 
confusion  of  the  disturbed  element.  Along  this  narrow  path 
the  vessel  moved  more  heavily  than  before,  being  brought  so 
near  the  wind  as  to  keep  her  sails  touching.  The  Pilot 
silently  proceeded  to  the  wheel,  and,  with  his  own  hands,  he 
undertook  the  steerage  of  the  ship.  No  noise  proceeded 
from  the  frigate  to  interrupt  the  horrid  tumult  of  the  ocean  ; 
and  she  entered  the  channel  among  the  breakers,  with  the 
silence  of  a  desperate  calmness.  Twenty  times,  as  the  foam 
rolled  away  to  leeward,  the  crew  were  on  the  eve  of  uttering 
their  joy,  as  they  supposed  the  vessel  past  the  danger;  but 
breaker  after  breaker  would  still  heave  up  before  them,  fol- 
lowing each  other  into  the  general  mass,  to  check  their  ex- 
ultation. Occasionally,  the  fluttering  of  the  sails  would  be 
heard  ;  and  when  the  looks  of  the  startled  seamen  were 
turned  to  the  wheel,  they  beheld  the  stranger  grasping  its 
spokes,  with  his  quick  eye  glancing  from  the  water  to  the 
canvas.  At  length  the  ship  reached  a  point,  where  she  ap- 
peared to  be  rushing  directly  into  the  jaws  of  destruction, 
when,  suddenly  her  course  was  changed,  and  her  head  re- 
ceded rapidly  from  the  wind.  At  the  same  instant  the  voice 
of  the  Pilot  was  heard  shouting, — 

Square  away  the  yards  ! — in  mainsail !  " 
A  general  burst  from  the  crew  echoed,  '  *  Square  away 
the  yards!"  and,  quick  as  thought,  the  frigate  was  seen 
gliding  along  the  channel  before  the  wind.  The  eye  had 
hardly  time  to  dwell  on  the  foam,  which  seemed  like  clouds 
driving  in  the  heavens,  and  directly  the  gallant  vessel 
issued  from  her  perils,  and  rose  and  fell  on  the  heavy  waves 
of  the  sea. 

The  seamen  were  yet  drawing  long  breaths,  and  gazing 
about  them  like  men  recovered  from  a  trance,  when  Griffith 
approached  the  man  who  had  so  successfully  conducted  them 
through  their  perils.  The  lieutenant  grasped  the  hand  of 
the  other,  as  he  said, — 

* '  You  have  this  night  proved  yourself  a  faithful  pilot,  and 
such  a  seaman  as  the  world  cannot  equal. ' ' 

The  pressure  of  the  hand  was  warmly  returned  by  the 
unknown  mariner,  who  replied, — 


52 


Ubc  mot 


"1  am  no  stranger  to  the  seas,  and  I  may  yet  find  my 
grave  in  them.  But  you,  too,  have  deceived  me  ;  you  have 
acted  nobly,  young  man,  and  Congress — ' ' 

''What  of  Congress?"  asked  Griffith,  observing  him  to 
pause. 

''Why,  Congress  is  fortunate  if  it  has  many  such  ships 
as  this,"  said  the  stranger,  coldly,  walking  away  toward  the 
commander. 

Griffith  gazed  after  him  a  moment  in  surprise  ;  but,  as  his 
duty  required  his  attention,  other  thoughts  soon  engaged  his 
mind. 

The  vessel  was  pronounced  to  be  in  safety.  The  gale  was 
heavy  and  increasing,  but  there  was  a  clear  sea  before  them  ; 
and,  as  she  slowly  stretched  out  into  the  bosom  of  the  ocean, 
preparations  were  made  for  her  security  during  its  continu- 
ance.   Before  midnight,  everything  was  in  order. 

A  gun  from  the  Ariel  soon  announced  the  safety  of  the 
schooner  also,  which  had  gone  out  by  another  and  an  easier 
channel,  that  the  frigate  had  not  dared  to  attempt ;  when 
the  commander  directed  the  usual  watch  to  be  set,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  crew  to  seek  their  necessary  repose. 

The  captain  withdrew  with  the  mysterious  pilot  to  his 
own  cabin.  Griffith  gave  his  last  order  ;  and  renewing  his 
charge  to  the  officer  instructed  with  the  care  of  the  vessel,  he 
wished  him  a  pleasant  watch,  and  sought  the  refreshment 
of  his  own  cot.  For  an  hour  the  young  lieutenant  lay  mus- 
ing on  the  events  of  the  day.  The  remark  of  Barnstable 
would  occur  to  him,  in  connection  with  the  singular  com- 
ment of  the  boy  ;  and  then  his  thoughts  would  recur  to 
the  Pilot,  who,  taken  from  the  hostile  shores  of  Britain, 
and  with  her  accent  on  his  tongue,  had  served  them  so  faith- 
fully and  so  well.  He  remembered  the  anxiety  of  Captain 
Munson  to  procure  this  stranger,  at  the  very  hazard  from 
which  they  had  just  been  relieved,  and  puzzled  himself 
with  conjecturing  why  a  pilot  was  to  be  sought  at  such  a 
risk.  His  more  private  feelings  would  then  resume  their 
sway,  and  the  recollection  of  America,  his  mistress,  and  his 
home,  mingled  with  the  confused  images  of  the  drowsy 
youth.    The  dashing  of  the  billows  against  the  side  of  the 


Ube  pilot  53 


ship,  the  creaking  of  guns  and  bulk-heads,  with  the  roaring 
of  the  tempest,  however,  became  gradually  less  and  less  dis- 
tinct until  nature  yielded  to  necessity,  and  the  young  man 
forgot  even  the  romantic  images  of  his  love,  in  the  deep  sleep 
of  a  seaman. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


"The  letter  !  ay,  the  letter  ! 
'T  is  there  a  woman  loves  to  speak  her  wishes  ; 
It  spares  the  blushes  of  the  love-sick  maiden 
And  every  word's  a  smile,  each  line  a  tongue." 

Duo. 

THE  slumbers  of  Griffith  continued  till  late  on  the 
following  morning,  when  he  was  awakened  by  the 
report  of  a  cannon,  issuing  from  the  deck  above 
him.  He  threw  himself,  listlessly,  from  his  cot, 
and  perceiving  the  officer  of  marines  near  him,  as  his 
servant  opened  the  door  of  his  state-room,  he  inquired,  with 
some  little  interest  in  his  manner,  if  ' '  the  ship  was  in  chase 
of  anything,  that  a  gun  was  fired  ?  ' ' 

"  'Tis  no  more  than  a  hint  to  the  Ariel,"  the  soldier  re- 
plied, "that  there  is  bunting  abroad  for  them  to  read.  It 
seems  as  if  all  hands  were  asleep  on  board  her,  for  we  have 
shown  her  signal  these  ten  minutes,  and  she  takes  us  for  a 
collier,  I  believe,  by  the  respect  she  pays  it. ' ' 

"Say,  rather,  that  she  takes  us  for  an  enemy,  and  is 
wary,"  returned  Griffith.  "Brown  Dick  has  played  the 
English  so  many  tricks  himself,  that  he  is  tender  of  his 
faith." 

*  *  Why,  they  have  shown  him  a  yellow  flag  over  a  blue 
one,  with  a  comet,  and  that  spells  Ariel,  in  every  signal- 
book  we  have  ;  surely,  he  can't  suspect  the  English  of  know- 
ing how  to  read  Yankee." 

"  I  have  known  Yankees  read  more  difficult  English,"  said 
Griffith,  smiling;  "but,  in  truth,  I  suppose  that  Barnstable 
has  been,  like  myself,  keeping  a  dead  reckoning  of  his  time, 


XTbe  pilot 


55 


and  his  men  have  profited  by  the  occasion.  She  is  lying  to, 
I  trust?" 

"  Ay  !  like  a  cork  in  a  mill-pond,  and  I  dare  say  you  are. 
right.  Give  Barnstable  plenty  of  sea-room,  a  heavy  wind, 
and  but  little  sail,  and  he  will  send  his  men  below,  put  that 
fellow  he  calls  long  Tom  at  the  tiller,  and  follow  himself,  and 
sleep  as  quietly  as  I  ever  could  at  church. ' ' 

'  *  Ah  !  yours  is  a  somniferous  orthodoxy,  Captain  Man- 
ual, ' '  said  the  young  sailor,  laughing,  while  he  slipped  his 
arms  into  the  sleeves  of  a  morning  round-about,  covered 
with  the  gilded  trappings  of  his  profession  ;  '  *  sleep  appears 
to  come  most  naturally  to  all  you  idlers.  But  give  me  a 
passage,  and  I  will  go  up,  and  call  the  schooner  down  to  us 
in  the  turning  of  an  hour-glass. ' ' 

The  indolent  soldier  raised  himself  from  the  leaning  pos- 
ture he  had  taken  against  the  door  of  the  state-room,  and 
Griffith  proceeded  through  the  dark  ward-room,  up  the  nar- 
row stairs  that  led  him  to  the  principal  battery  of  the  ship, 
and  thence,  by  another  and  broader  flight  of  steps,  to  the 
open  deck. 

The  gale  still  blew  strong,  but  steadily  ;  the  blue  water  of 
the  ocean  was  rising  in  mimic  mountains,  that  were  crownea 
with  white  foam,  which  the  wind,  at  times,  lifted  from  its 
kindred  element,  to  propel  in  mist,  through  the  air,  from 
summit  to  summit.  But  the  ship  rode  on  these  agitated  bil- 
lows with  an  easy  and  regular  movement,  that  denoted  the 
skill  with  which  her  mechanical  powers  were  directed.  The 
day  was  bright  and  clear,  and  the  lazy  sun,  who  seemed  un- 
willing to  meet  the  toil  of  ascending  to  the  meridian,  was 
crossing  the  heavens  with  a  southern  inclination,  that  hardly 
allowed  him  to  temper  the  moist  air  of  the  ocean  with  his 
genial  heat.  At  the  distance  of  a  mile,  directly  in  the  wind's 
eye,  the  Ariel  was  seen,  obeying  the  signal  which  had  caused 
the  dialogue  we  have  related.  Her  low  black  hull  was 
barely  discernible,  at  moments,  ivhen  she  rose  to  the  crest 
of  a  larger  wave  than  common  ;  but  the  spot  of  canvas  that 
she  exposed  to  the  wind  was  to  be  seen,  seeming  to  touch 
the  water  on  either  hand,  as  the  little  vessel  rolled  amid  the 
seas.    At  times  she  was  entirely  hid  from  view,  when  the 


5C 


Ube  pilot 


faint  lines  of  her  raking  masts  would  be  again  discovered, 
issuing,  as  it  were,  from  the  ocean,  and  continuing  to  ascend, 
until  the  hull  itself  would  appear,  thrusting  its  bows  into  the 
air,  surrounded  by  foam,  and  apparently  ready  to  take  its 
flight  into  another  element. 

After  dwelling  a  moment  on  the  beautiful  sight  we  have 
attempted  to  describe,  Griffith  cast  his  eyes  upward,  to  ex- 
amine, with  the  keenness  of  a  seaman,  the  disposition  of 
things  aloft,  and  then  turned  his  attention  to  those  who  were 
on  the  deck  of  the  frigate. 

His  commander  stood,  in  his  composed  manner,  patiently 
awaiting  the  execution  of  his  order  by  the  Ariel,  and  at  his 
side  was  placed  the  stranger  who  had  so  recently  acted  such 
a  conspicuous  part  in  the  management  of  the  ship.  Griffith 
availed  himself  of  daylight  and  his  situation  to  examine  the 
appearance  of  this  singular  being  more  closely  than  the 
darkness  and  confusion  of  the  preceding  night  had  allowed. 
He  was  a  trifle  below  the  middle  size  in  stature,  but  his 
form  was  muscular  and  athletic,  exhibiting  the  finest  pro- 
portions of  manly  beauty.  His  face  appeared  rather  charac- 
terized by  melancholy  and  thought,  than  by  that  determined 
decision  which  he  had  so  powerfully  displayed  in  the  mo- 
ments of  their  most  extreme  danger  ;  but  Griffith  well  knew 
that  it  cordd  also  exhibit  looks  of  the  fiercest  impatience.  At 
present,  it  appeared,  to  the  curious  youth,  when  compared 
to  the  glimpses  he  had  caught  by  the  lights  of  their  lanterns, 
like  the  ocean  at  rest,  contrasted  with  the  waters  around 
him.  The  eyes  of  the  Pilot  rested  on  the  deck,  or  when  they 
did  wander,  it  was  with  uneasy  and  rapid  glances.  The 
large  pea-jacket,  that  concealed  most  of  his  other  attire,  was 
as  roughly  made,  and  of  materials  as  coarse,  as  that  worn  by 
the  meanest  seaman  in  the  vessel  ;  and  yet,  it  did  not  escape 
the  inquisitive  gaze  of  the  young  lieutenant,  that  it  was 
worn  with  an  air  of  neatness  and  care  that  was  altogethef 
unusual  in  men  of  his  profession.  The  examination  of 
Griffith  ended  here,  for  the  near  approach  of  the  Ariel  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  all  on  the  deck  of  the  frigate,  to  the 
conversation  that  was  about  to  pass  between  their  respective 
commanders. 


XTbe  pilot 


57 


As  the  little  schooner  rolled  along  under  their  stern,  Cap- 
tain Munson  directed  his  subordinate  to  leave  his  vessel  and 
repair  on  board  the  ship.  As  soon  as  the  order  was  received, 
the  Ariel  rounded-to,  and  drawing  ahead  into  the  smooth 
Water  occasioned  by  the  huge  fabric  that  protected  her  from 
the  gale,  the  whale-boat  was  again  launched  from  her  decks, 
and  manned  by  the  same  crew  that  had  landed  on  those 
shores  which  were  now  faintly  discerned  far  to  leeward,  look- 
ing like  blue  clouds  on  the  skirts  of  the  ocean. 

When  Barnstable  had  entered  his  boat,  a  few  strokes  of 
the  oars  sent  it,  dancing  over  the  waves,  to  the  side  of  the 
ship.  The  little  vessel  was  then  veered  off  to  a  distance, 
where  it  rode  in  safety  under  the  care  of  a  boat-keeper,  and 
the  officer  and  his  men  ascended  the  side  of  the  lofty  frigate. 

The  usual  ceremonials  of  reception  were  rigidly  observed 
by  Griffith  and  his  juniors,  when  Barnstable  touched  the 
deck  ;  and  though  every  hand  was  ready  to  be  extended 
towards  the  reckless  seaman,  none  presumed  to  exceed  ih^ 
salutations  of  official  decorum,  until  a  short  and  private  dia- 
logue had  taken  place  between  him  and  their  captain. 

In  the  meantime,  the  crew  of  the  whale-boat  passed  for- 
ward, and  mingled  with  the  seamen  of  the  frigate,  with  the 
exception  of  the  cockswain,  who  established  himself  in  one 
of  the  gangways,  where  he  stood  in  the  utmost  composure, 
fixing  his  eyes  aloft,  and  shaking  his  head,  in  evident  dis- 
satisfaction, as  he  studied  the  complicated  mass  of  rigging 
above  him.  The  spectacle  soon  attracted  to  his  side  some 
half-dozen  youths,  with  Mr.  Merry  at  their  head,  who 
endeavored  to  entertain  their  guest  in  a  manner  that  should 
most  conduce  to  the  indulgence  of  their  own  waggish  pro- 
pensities. 

The  conversation  between  Barnstable  and  his  superior 
soon  ended  ;  when  the  former,  beckoning  to  Griffith,  passed 
the  wondering  group  who  had  collected  around  the  capstan, 
awaiting  his  leisure  to  greet  him  more  cordially,  and  led  the 
way  to  the  ward-room,  with  the  freedom  of  one  who  felt 
himself  no  stranger.  As  this  unsocial  manner  formed  no 
part  of  the  natural  temper  or  ordinary  deportment  of  the 
man,  the  remainder  of  the  officers  suffered  their  first  lieu- 


XTbe  ipUot 


tenant  to  follow  him  alone,  believing  that  duty  required  that 
their  interview  should  be  private.  Barnstable  was  deter- 
mined that  it  should  be  so,  at  all  events ;  for  he  seized  the 
lamp  from  the  mess-table,  and  entered  the  state-room  of  his 
friend,  closing  the  door  behind  them,  and  turning  the  key. 
When  they  were  both  within  its  narrow  limits — point- 
ing to  the  only  chair  the  little  apartment  contained,  with 
a  sort  of  instinctive  deference  to  his  companion's  rank — 
the  commander  of  the  schooner  threw  himself  carelessly 
on  a  sea-chest ;  and,  placing  the  lamp  on  the  table,  he 
opened  the  discourse  as  follows  : — 

What  a  night  we  had  of  it !  twenty  times  I  thought  I 
could  see  the  sea  breaking  over  you  ;  and  I  had  given  you 
over  as  drowned  men,  or,  what  is  worse,  as  men  driven 
ashore,  to  be  led  to  the  prison-ships  of  these  islanders,  when 
I  saw  your  lights  in  answer  to  my  gun.  Had  you  hoisted 
the  conscience  of  a  murderer,  you  would  n't  have  relieved 
him  more  than  you  did  me,  by  showing  that  bit  of  tallow 
and  cotton,  tipped  with  flint  and  steel.  But,  Griffith,  I  have 
a  tale  to  tell  of  a  different  kind — ' ' 

"Of  how  you  slept  when  you  found  yourself  in  deep 
water,  and  how  your  crew  strove  to  outdo  their  commander, 
and  how  all  succeeded  so  well,  that  there  was  a  gray  head 
on  board  here,  that  began  to  shake  with  displeasure, ' '  inter- 
rupted Griffith;  ''truly,  Dick,  you  will  get  into  lubberly 
habits  on  board  that  bubble  in  which  you  float  about,  where 
all  hands  go  to  sleep  as  regularly  as  the  inhabitants  of  a 
poultry-yard  go  to  roost. ' ' 

"  Not  so  bad,  not  half  so  bad,  Ned,"  returned  the  other, 
laughing ;  *  *  I  keep  as  sharp  a  discipline  as  if  we  wore 
a  flag.  To  be  sure,  forty  men  can't  make  as  much  parade 
as  three  or  four  hundred  ;  but  as  for  making  or  taking  in 
sail,  I  am  your  better  any  day." 

"Ay,  because  a  pocket-handkerchief  is  sooner  opened 
and  shut  than  a  table-cloth.  But  I  hold  it  to  be  unseaman- 
Uke  to  leave  any  vessel  without  human  eyes,  and  those  open, 
to  watch  whether  she  goes  east  or  west,  north  or  south." 

"And  who  is  guilty  of  such  a  dead  man's  watch  ?  " 
*Why,  they  say  aboard  here,  that  when  it  blows  hard, 


XTbe  pilot 


59 


you  seat  the  man  you  call  long  Tom  by  the  side  of  the  tiller, 
tell  him  to  keep  her  head- to-sea,  and  then  pipe  all  hands  to 
their  night-caps,  where  you  all  remain,  comfortably  stowed 
in  your  hammocks,  until  you  are  awakened  by  the  snoring 
of  your  helmsman." 

"'Tis  a  damned  scandalous  insinuation,"  cried  Barnsta- 
ble, with  an  indignation  that  he  in  vain  attempted  to  conceal. 
"Who  gives  currency  to  such  a  libel,  Mr.  Griffith  ?  " 

I  had  it  of  the  marine,"  said  his  friend,  losing  the  arch- 
ness that  had  instigated  him  to  worry  his  companion,  in  the 
vacant  air  of  one  who  was  careless  of  everything  ;  * '  but  I 
don't  believe  half  of  it  myself — I  have  no  doubt  you  all  had 
your  eyes  open  last  night,  whatever  you  might  have  been 
about  this  morning." 

**Ah!  this  morning!  there  was  an  oversight,  indeed! 
But  I  was  studying  a  new  signal-book,  Griffith,  that  has  a 
thousand  times  more  interest  for  me  than  all  the  bunting 
you  can  show,  from  the  head  to  the  heel  of  your  masts." 

"What!  have  you  found  out  the  Englishman's  private 
talk?" 

"No,  no,"  said  the  other,  stretching  forth  his  hand,  and 
grasping  the  arm  of  his  friend.  ' '  I  met  last  night  one  on 
those  cliffs,  who  has  proved  herself  what  I  always  believed 
her  to  be,  and  loved  her  for,  a  girl  of  quick  thought  and 
bold  spirit. ' ' 

'  *  Of  whom  do  you  speak  ? ' ' 

"Of  Katherine— " 

Griffith  started  from  his  chair  involuntarily  at  the  sound 
of  this  name,  and  the  blood  passed  quickly  through  the 
shades  of  his  countenance,  leaving  it  now  pale  as  death,  and 
then  burning  as  if  oppressed  by  a  torrent  from  the  heart. 
Struggling  to  overcome  an  emotion  which  he  appeared 
ashamed  to  betray  even  to  the  friend  he  most  loved,  the 
young  man  soon  recovered  himself  so  far  as  to  resiune  his 
seat,  when  he  asked,  gloomily, — 

"Was  she  alone?" 

* '  She  was  ;  but  she  left  with  me  this  paper,  and  this  inval- 
iiable  book,  which  is  worth  a  library  of  all  other  works." 
The  eye  of  Griffith  rested  vacantly  on  the  treasure  that 


6o 


xrbe  pilot 


the  other  valued  so  highly,  but  his  hand  seized  eagerly  the 
open  letter  which  was  laid  on  the  table  for  his  perusal. 
The  reader  will  at  once  understand,  that  it  was  in  the  hand- 
writing of  a  female,  and  that  it  was  the  communication 
Barnstable  had  received  from  his  betrothed  on  the  cliffs. 
Its  contents  were  as  follows  : — 

Believing  that  Providence  may  conduct  me  where  we 
shall  meet,  or  whence  I  may  be  able  to  transmit  to  you  this 
account,  I  have  prepared  a  short  statement  of  the  situation 
of  Cecilia  Howard  and  myself;  not,  however,  to  urge  you 
and  Griffith  to  any  rash  or  foolish  hazards,  but  that  you  may 
both  sit  down,  and,  after  due  consultation,  determine  what  is 
proper  for  our  relief. 

* '  By  this  time,  you  must  understand  the  character  of 
Colonel  Howard  too  well  to  expect  he  will  ever  consent  to 
give  his  niece  to  a  rebel.  He  has  already  sacrificed  to  his 
loyalty,  as  he  calls  it  (but  I  whisper  to  Cecilia,  'tis  his 
treason),  not  only  his  native  country,  but  no  small  part  of 
his  fortune,  also.  In  the  frankness  of  my  disposition  (you 
know  my  frankness,  Barnstable,  but  too  well !)  I  confessed 
to  him,  after  the  defeat  of  the  mad  attempt  Griffith  made  to 
carry  off  Cecilia,  in  Carolina,  that  I  had  been  foolish  enough 
to  enter  into  some  weak  promise  to  the  brother  officer  who 
had  accompanied  the  young  sailor  in  his  traitorous  visits  to 
the  plantation.  Heigho  !  I  sometimes  think  it  would  have 
been  better  for  us  all,  if  your  ship  had  never  been  chased 
into  the  river,  or,  after  she  was  there,  if  Griffith  had  made 
no  attempt  to  renew  his  acquaintance  with  my  cousin. 
The  colonel  received  the  intelligence  as  such  a  guardian 
would  hear  that  his  ward  was  about  to  throw  away  thirty 
thousand  dollars  and  herself  on  a  traitor  to  his  king  and 
country.  I  defended  you  stoutly  :  said  that  you  had  no 
king,  as  the  tie  was  dissolved ;  that  America  was  your 
country,  and  that  your  profession  was  honorable ;  but  it 
would  not  all  do.  He  called  3^ou  rebel ;  that  I  was  used  to. 
He  said  you  were  a  traitor  ;  that,  in  his  vocabulary,  amounts 
to  the  same  thing.  He  even  hinted  that  you  were  a  coward ; 
and  that  I  knew  to  be  false,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  tell  him 


Ubc  pilot 


6z 


so.  He  used  fifty  opprobrious  terms  that  I  cannot  remem- 
ber ;  but  among  others  were  the  beautiful  epithets  of  *  dis- 
organizer,'  'leveller,'  '  democrat,'  and' jacobin.'  (I  hope  he 
did  not  mean  a  monk  !)  In  short,  he  acted  Colonel  Howard 
in  a  rage.  But  as  his  dominion  does  not,  like  that  of  his 
favorite  kings,  continue  from  generation  to  generation,  and 
one  short  year  will  release  me  from  his  power,  and  leave  me 
mistress  of  my  own  actions — that  is,  if  your  fine  promises  are 
to  be  believed — I  bore  it  all  very  well,  being  resolved  to 
suffer  anything  but  martyrdom,  rather  than  abandon  Cecilia. 
She,  dear  girl,  has  much  more  to  distress  her  than  I  can 
have  ;  she  is  not  only  the  ward  of  Colonel  Howard,  but  his 
niece,  and  his  sole  heir.  I  am  persuaded  this  last  circum- 
stance makes  no  difference  in  either  her  conduct  or  her  feel> 
ings  ;  but  he  appears  to  think  it  gives  him  a  right  to  tyran- 
nize over  her  on  all  occasions.  After  all.  Colonel  Howard  is 
a  gentleman  when  you  do  not  put  him  in  a  passion,  and,  I 
believe,  a  thoroughly  honest  man  ;  and  Cecilia  even  loves 
him.  But  a  man  who  is  driven  from  his  country,  in  his 
sixtieth  year,  with  the  loss  of  near  half  his  fortune,  is  not 
apt  to  canonize  those  who  compel  the  change. 

"  It  seems  that  when  the  Howards  lived  on  this  island,  a 
hundred  years  ago,  they  dwelt  in  the  county  of  Northum- 
berland. Hither,  then,  he  brought  us,  when  political  events, 
and  his  dread  of  becoming  the  uncle  to  a  rebel,  induced  him 
to  abandon  America,  as  he  says,  forever.  We  have  been 
here  now  three  months,  and  for  two  thirds  of  that  time  we 
lived  in  tolerable  comfort ;  but,  latterly,  the  papers  have  an- 
nounced the  arrival  of  the  ship  and  your  schooner  in  France  ; 
and  from  that  moment  as  strict  a  watch  has  been  kept  over 
us,  as  if  we  had  meditated  a  renewal  of  the  Carolina  flight. 
The  colonel,  on  his  arrival  here,  hired  an  old  building,  that 
is,  part  house,  part  abbey,  part  castle,  and  all  prison ;  be- 
cause it  is  said  to  have  once  belonged  to  an  ancestor  of  his. 
In  this  delightful  dwelling  there  are  many  cages  that  will 
secure  more  uneasy  birds  than  we  are.  About  a  fortnight 
ago  an  alarm  was  given  in  a  neighboring  village,  which  is 
situated  on  the  shore,  that  two  American  vessels,  answering 
your  description,  had  been  seen  hovering  along  the  coast; 


62 


Ube  pilot 


and,  as  people  in  this  quarter  dream  of  nothing  but  that  ter 
rible  fellow  Paul  Jones,  it  was  said  that  he  was  on  board  one  of 
them.  But  I  believe  that  Colonel  Howard  suspects  who  you 
really  are.  He  was  very  minute  in  his  inquiries,  I  hear ;  and 
since  then  has  established  a  sort  of  garrison  in  the  house,  under 
the  pretence  of  defending  it  against  marauders,  like  those  who 
are  said  to  have  laid  my  I^ady  Selkirk  under  contribution. 

*  *  Now,  understand  me,  Barnstable  ;  on  no  account  would 
I  have  you  risk  yourself  on  shore  ;  neither  must  there  be 
blood  spilt,  if  you  love  me  ;  but  that  you  may  know  what 
sort  of  a  place  we  are  confined  in,  and  by  whom  surrounded, 
I  will  describe  both  our  prison  and  the  garrison.  The 
whole  building  is  of  stone,  and  not  to  be  attempted  with 
slight  means.  It  has  windings  and  turnings,  both  internally 
and  externally,  that  would  require  more  skill  than  I  possess 
to  make  intelligible ;  but  the  rooms  we  inhabit  are  in  the 
upper  or  third  floor  of  a  wing,  that  you  may  call  a  tower, 
if  you  are  in  a  romantic  mood,  but  which,  in  truth,  is  noth- 
ing but  a  wing.  Would  to  God  I  could  fly  with  it  !  If 
any  accident  should  bring  you  in  sight  of  the  dwelling,  you 
will  know  our  room  by  the  three  smoky  vanes  that  whiffle 
about  its  pointed  roof,  and  also,  by  the  windows  in  that 
story  being  occasionally  open.  Opposite  to  our  windows, 
at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  is  a  retired,  unfrequented  ruin, 
concealed  in  a  great  measure  from  observation  by  a  wood, 
and  afibrding  none  of  the  best  accommodations,  it  is  true, 
but  shelter  in  some  of  its  vaults  or  apartments.  I  have 
prepared,  according  to  the  explanations  you  once  gave  me 
on  this  subject,  a  set  of  small  signals,  of  differently  colored 
silks,  and  a  little  dictionary  of  all  the  phrases  that  I  could 
imagine  as  useful  to  refer  to,  properly  numbered  to  corre- 
spond with  the  key  and  the  flags,  all  of  which  I  shall  send 
you  with  this  letter.  You  must  prepare  your  own  flags, 
and  of  course  I  retain  mine,  as  well  as  a  copy  of  the  ke)'' 
and  book.  If  opportunity  should  ever  ofier,  we  can  have, 
at  least,  a  pleasant  discourse  together  ;  3^ou  from  the  top  of 
the  old  tower  in  the  ruins,  and  I  from  the  east  window  of 
my  dressing-room  !  But  now  for  the  garrison.  In  addition 
to  the  commandant,  Colonel  How^ard,  w^ho  retains  all  the 


Ube  iptlot 


63 


fierceness  of  his  former  military  profession,  there  is,  as  his 
second  in  authority,  that  bane  of  Cecilia's  happiness.  Kit 
Dillon,  with  his  long  Savannah  face,  scornful  eyes  of  black, 
and  skin  of  the  same  color.  This  gentleman,  you  know,  is 
a  distant  relative  of  the  Howards,  and  wishes  to  be  more 
nearly  allied.  He  is  poor,  it  is  true,  but  then,  as  the 
colonel  daily  remarks,  he  is  a  good  and  loyal  subject,  and 
no  rebel.  When  I  asked  why  he  was  not  in  arms  in  these 
stirring  times,  contending  for  the  prince  he  loves  so  much, 
the  colonel  answered  that  it  is  not  his  profession,  that  he  has 
been  educated  for  the  law,  and  was  destined  to  fill  one  cf 
the  highest  judicial  stations  in  the  colonies,  and  that  he 
hoped  he  should  yet  live  to  see  him  sentence  certain  name- 
less gentlemen  to  condign  punishment.  This  was  consoling, 
to  be  sure  ;  but  I  bore  it.  However,  he  left  Carolina  with 
us,  and  here  he  is,  and  here  he  is  likely  to  continue,  unless 
you  can  catch  him,  and  anticipate  his  judgment  on  himself. 
The  colonel  has  long  desired  to  see  this  gentleman  the  hus- 
band of  Cecilia,  and  since  the  news  of  your  being  on  the 
coast,  the  siege  has  nearly  amounted  to  a  storm.  The  con- 
sequences are,  that  my  cousin  at  first  kept  her  room,  and 
then  the  colonel  kept  her  there,  and  even  now  she  is  pre- 
cluded from  leaving  the  wing  we  inhabit.  In  addition  to 
these  two  principal  jailers,  we  have  four  men-servants,  two 
black  and  two  white  ;  and  an  officer  and  twenty  soldiers 
from  the  neighboring  town  are  billeted  on  us,  by  particular 
desire,  until  the  coast  is  declared  free  from  pirates !  yes, 
that  is  the  musical  name  they  give  yon — and  when  their 
own  people  land,  and  plunder,  and  rob,  and  murder  the 
men  and  insult  the  women,  they  are  called  heroes  !  It 's  a 
fine  thing  to  be  able  to  invent  names  and  make  dictionaries 
—and  it  must  be  your  fault,  if  mine  has  been  framed  for 
no  purpose.  I  declare,  when  I  recollect  all  the  insulting 
and  cruel  things  I  hear  in  this  country  of  my  own  and  her 
people,  it  makes  me  lose  my  temper,  and  forget  my  sex  ; 
but  do  not  let  my  ill  humor  urge  you  to  anything  rash  : 
remember  your  life,  remember  their  prisons,  remember  youi 
reputation,  but  do  not,  do  not  forget  your 

"Kathe:rine;  Pi^owdkn. 


64 


XTbe  ipilot 


"  p.  S. — I  had  almost  forgotten  to  tell  you,  that  in  the 
signal-book  you  will  find  a  more  particular  description  of 
our  prison,  where  it  stands,  and  a  drawing  of  the  grounds, 
etc. ' ' 

When  Griffith  concluded  this  epistle,  he  returned  it  to 
the  man  to  whom  it  was  addressed,  and  fell  back  in  his 
chair,  in  an  attitude  that  denoted  deep  reflection. 

I  knew  she  was  here,  or  I  should  have  accepted  the 
command  offered  to  me  by  our  commissioners  in  Paris,"  he 
at  length  uttered  ;  * '  and  I  thought  that  some  lucky  chance 
might  throw  her  in  my  way  ;  but  this  is  bringing  us  close, 
indeed  !  This  intelligence  must  be  acted  on,  and  that 
promptly.  Poor  girl,  what  does  she  not  suffer  in  such  a 
situation  !  " 

"  What  a  beautiful  hand  she  writes  !  "  exclaimed  Barn- 
stable ;  "  'tis  as  clear,  and  as  pretty,  and  as  small,  as  her 
own  delicate  fingers.  Griff.,  what  a  log-book  she  would 
keep  !  " 

"  Cecilia  Howard  touch  the  coarse  leaves  of  a  log-book  !  " 
cried  the  other  in  amazement ;  but  perceiving  Barnstable 
to  be  poring  over  the  contents  of  his  mistress's  letter,  he 
smiled  at  their  mutual  folly,  and  continued  silent.  After  a 
short  time  spent  in  cool  reflection,  Griffith  inquired  of  his 
friend  the  nature  and  circumstances  of  his  interview  with 
Katherine  Plowden.  Barnstable  related  it,  briefly,  as  it 
occurred,  in  the  manner  already  known  to  the  reader. 

"  Then,"  said  Griffith,  "  Merry  is  the  only  one,  besides 
ourselves,  who  knows  of  this  meeting,  and  he  will  be  too 
chary  of  the  reputation  of  his  kinswoman  to  mention  it. ' ' 

"  Her  reputation  needs  no  shield,  Mr.  Griffith,"  cried  her 
lover;  "'tis  as  spotless  as  the  canvas  above  your  head, 
and—" 

"  Peace,  dear  Richard  ;  I  entreat  your  pardon  ;  my  words 
may  have  conveyed  more  than  I  intended  ;  but  it  is  im- 
portant that  our  measures  should  be  secret,  as  well  as 
prudently  concerted. ' ' 

' '  We  must  get  them  both  off, ' '  returned  Barnstable,  for- 
getting his  displeasure  the  moment  it  was  exhibited,  ' '  and 


Ube  mot 


6s 


that,  too,  before  the  old  man  takes  it  into  his  wise  head  to 
leave  the  coast.  Did  you  ever  get  a  sight  of  his  instructions, 
or  does  he  keep  silent  ?  " 

* '  As  the  grave.  This  is  the  first  time  we  have  left  port, 
that  he  has  not  conversed  freely  with  me  on  the  nature  of 
the  cruise  ;  but  not  a  syllable  has  been  exchanged  between 
us  on  the  subject,  since  we  sailed  from  Brest." 

"  Ah  !  that  is  your  Jersey  bashfulness,"  said  Barnstable  ; 
''wait  till  I  come  alongside  him,  with  my  Eastern  curiosity, 
and  I  pledge  myself  to  get  it  out  of  him  in  an  hour. ' ' 

'Twill  be  diamond  cut  diamond,  I  doubt,"  said  Grifiith, 
laughing ;  "  you  will  find  him  as  acute  at  evasion,  as  you 
can  possibly  be  at  a  cross-examination." 

' '  At  any  rate,  he  gives  me  a  chance  to-day  ;  you  know, 
J  suppose,  that  he  sent  for  me  to  attend  a  consultation  of 
his  officers  on  important  matters." 

"  I  did  not,"  returned  Griffith,  fixing  his  eyes  intently  on 
the  speaker  ;  ' '  what  has  he  to  offer. ' ' 

*  *  Nay,  that  you  must  ask  your  Pilot ;  for  while  talking 
to  me,  the  old  man  would  turn  and  look  at  the  stranger, 
every  minute,  as  if  watching  for  signals  how  to  steer. ' ' 

"  There  is  a  mystery  about  that  man,  and  our  connection 
with  him,  that  I  cannot  fathom,"  said  Griffith.  But  I 
hear  the  voice  of  Manual  calling  for  me  ;  we  are  wanted  in 
the  cabin.  Remember,  you  do  not  leave  the  ship  without 
seeing  me  again." 

*  *  No,  no,  my  dear  fellow  ;  from  the  public  we  must  retire 
to  another  private  consultation." 

The  young  men  arose,  and  Griffith,  throwing  off  the 
roundabout  in  which  he  had  appeared  on  deck,  drew  on  ^ 
coat  of  more  formal  appearance,  and  taking  a  sword  care^ 
lessly  in  his  hand,  they  proceeded  together  along  the  pas- 
sage already  described,  to  the  gun-deck,  where  they  entered, 
with  the  proper  ceremonials,  into  the  principal  cabin  of  th^ 
frigate. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


**  Sempronius,  speak." 

Cato. 

THE  arrangements  for  the  consultation  were  brief 
and  simple.  The  veteran  commander  of  the 
frigate  received  his  officers  with  punctilious  respect ; 
and  pointing  to  the  chairs  that  were  placed  round 
the  table,  which  was  a  fixture  in  the  centre  of  his  cabin,  he 
silently  seated  himself,  and  his  example  was  followed  by  all 
without  further  ceremony.  In  taking  their  stations,  how- 
ever, a  quiet,  but  rigid  observance  was  paid  to  the  rights  of 
seniority  and  rank.  On  the  right  of  the  captain  was  placed 
Griffith,  as  next  in  authority ;  and  opposite  to  him  was 
seated  the  commander  of  the  schooner.  The  officer  of 
marines,  who  was  included  in  the  number,  held  the  next 
situation  in  point  of  precedence,  the  same  order  being  ob- 
served to  the  bottom  of  the  table,  which  was  occupied  by 
a  hard-featured,  square-built,  athletic  man,  who  held  the 
office  of  sailing-master.  When  order  was  restored,  after  the 
short  interruption  of  taking  their  places,  the  officer  who  had 
required  the  advice  of  his  inferiors,  opened  the  business  on 
which  he  demanded  their  opinions. 

My  instructions  direct  me,  gentlemen,"  he  said,  ''after 
making  the  coast  of  England,  to  run  the  land  down — " 

The  hand  of  Griffith  was  elevated  respectfully  for  silence, 
and  the  veteran  paused,  with  a  look  that  inquired  the  reason 
of  his  interruption. 

' '  We  are  not  alone, ' '  said  the  lieutenant,  glancing  his  eye 
towards  the  part  of  the  cabin  where  the  Pilot  stood,  leaning 
on  one  of  the  gims,  in  an  attitude  of  easy  indolence. 

66 


Zbc  l^tlot 


67 


The  stranger  moved  not  at  this  direct  hint  ;  neither  did 

his  eye  change  from  its  close  survey  of  a  chart  that  lay  near 
him  on  the  deck.  The  captain  dropped  his  voice  to  one  of 
cautious  respect,  as  he  replied, — 

*"T  is  only  Mr.  Gray.  His  services  will  be  necessary  on 
the  occasion,  and  therefore  nothing  need  be  concealed  from 
him." 

Glances  of  surprise  were  exchanged  among  the  young 
men  ;  but  Griffith  bowing  his  silent  acquiescence  in  the 
decision  of  his  superior,  the  latter  proceeded  : — 

* '  I  was  ordered  to  watch  for  certain  signals  from  the 
headlands  that  we  made,  and  was  furnished  with  the  best 
of  charts,  and  such  directions  as  enabled  us  to  stand  into 
the  bay  we  entered  last  night.  We  have  now  obtained  a 
pilot,  and  one  who  has  proved  himself  a  skilful  man  ;  such 
a  one,  gentlemen,  as  no  officer  need  hesitate  to  rely  on,  in 
any  emergency,  either  on  account  of  his  integrity  or  his 
knowledge." 

The  veteran  paused,  and  turned  his  looks  on  the  counte- 
nances of  the  listeners,  as  if  to  collect  their  sentiments  on 
this  important  point.  Receiving  no  other  reply  than  the 
one  conveyed  by  the  silent  inclinations  of  the  heads  of  his 
hearers,  the  commander  resumed  his  explanations,  referring 
to  an  open  paper  in  his  hand  : — 

It  is  known  to  you  all,  gentlemen,  that  the  unfortunate 
question  of  retaliation  has  been  much  agitated  between  the 
two  governments,  our  own  and  that  of  the  enemy.  For 
this  reason,  and  for  certain  political  purposes,  it  has  become 
an  object  of  solicitude  with  our  commissioners  in  Paris  to 
obtain  a  few  individuals  of  character  from  the  enemy,  who 
may  be  held  as  a  check  on  their  proceedings,  while  at  the 
same  time  it  brings  the  evils  of  war,  from  our  own  shores, 
home  to  those  who  have  caused  it.  An  opportunity  now 
offers  to  put  this  plan  in  execution,  and  I  have  collected 
you,  in  order  to  consult  on  the  means." 

A  profound  silence  succeeded  this  unexpected  communi- 
cation of  the  object  of  their  cruise.  After  a  short  pause, 
their  captain  added,  addressing  himself  to  the  sailing  mas- 
ter— 


68 


Ube  pilot 


' '  What  course  would  you  advise  me  to  pursue,  Mr.  Bolt 
rope  ? ' ' 

The  weather-beaten  seaman  who  was  thus  called  on  to 
break  through  the  difficulties  of  a  knotty  point  with  his 
opinion,  laid  one  of  his  short,  bony  hands  on  the  table,  and 
began  to  twirl  an  inkstand  with  great  industry,  while  with 
the  other  he  conveyed  a  pen  to  his  mouth,  which  was  appar- 
ently masticated  with  all  the  relish  that  he  could  possibly 
have  felt  had  it  been  a  leaf  from  the  famous  Virginian 
weed.  But  perceiving  that  he  was  expected  to  answer, 
after  looking  first  to  his  right  hand,  and  then  to  his  left,  he 
spoke  as  follows,  in  a  hoarse,  thick  voice,  in  which  the  fogs 
of  the  ocean  seemed  to  have  united  with  sea-damps  and 
colds  to  destroy  everything  like  melody  : — 

*'If  this  matter  is  ordered,  it  is  to  be  done,  I  suppose," 
he  said  ;  "for  the  old  rule  runs,  *  Obey  orders,  if  you  break 
owners  ;  '  though  the  maxim  which  says,  '  One  hand  for  the 
owner,  and  t'  other  for  yourself, '  is  quite  as  good,  and  has 
saved  many  a  hearty  fellow  from  a  fall  that  would  have 
balanced  the  purser's  books.  Not  that  I  mean  a  purser's 
books  are  not  as  good  as  any  other  man's ;  but  that  when 
a  man  is  dead,  his  account  must  be  closed,  or  there  will  be 
a  false  muster.  Well,  if  the  thing  is  to  be  done,  the  next 
question  is,  how  is  it  to  be  done  ?  There  is  many  a  man 
that  knows  there  is  too  much  canvas  on  a  ship,  who  can't 
tell  how  to  shorten  sail.  Well,  then,  if  the  thing  is  really 
to  be  done,  we  must  either  land  a  gang  to  seize  them,  or 
we  must  show  false  lights  and  sham  colors,  to  lead  them  off 
to  the  ship.  As  for  landing.  Captain  Munson,  I  can  only 
speak  for  one  man,  and  that  is  myself,  which  is  to  say,  that 
if  you  run  the  ship  with  her  jib-boom  into  the  king  of  Eng- 
land's parlor- windows,  why,  I  'm  consenting,  nor  do  I  care 
how  much  of  his  crockery  is  cracked  in  so  doing  ;  but  as  to 
putting  the  print  of  my  foot  on  one  of  his  sandy  beaches,  if 
I  do,  that  is  always  speaking  for  only  one  man,  and  saving 
your  presence,  may  I  hope  to  be  d  d." 

The  young  men  smiled  as  the  tough  old  seaman  uttered 
his  sentiments  so  frankly,  rising  with  his  subject,  to  that 
which  with  him  was  the  climax  of  all  discussion  ;  but  his 


XTbc  pilot 


69 


commander,  who  was  but  a  more  improved  scholar  from  the 
same  rough  school,  appeared  to  uuderstand  his  arguments 
entirely,  and  without  altering  a  muscle  of  his  rigid  counte- 
nance, he  required  the  opinion  of  the  junior  lieutenant. 

The  young  man  spoke  firmly,  but  modestly,  though  the 
amount  of  what  he  said  was  not  much  more  distinct  than 
that  uttered  by  the  master,  and  was  very  much  to  the  same 
purpose,  with  the  exception,  that  he  appeared  to  entertain 
no  personal  reluctance  to  trusting  himself  on  dry  ground. 

The  opinions  of  the  others  grew  gradually  more  explicit 
and  clear,  as  they  ascended  in  the  scale  of  rank,  until  it  came 
to  the  turn  of  the  captain  of  marines  to  speak.  There  was  a 
trifling  exhibition  of  professional  pride  about  the  soldier,  in 
delivering  his  sentiments  on  a  subject  that  embraced  a 
good  deal  more  of  his  peculiar  sort  of  duty  than  ordinarily 
occurred  in  the  usual  operations  of  the  frigate. 

* '  It  appears  to  me,  sir,  that  the  success  of  this  expedition 
depends  altogether  upon  the  manner  in  which  it  is  con- 
ducted." After  this  lucid  opening,  the  soldier  hesitated  a 
moment,  as  if  to  collect  his  ideas  for  a  charge  that  should 
look  down  all  opposition,  and  proceeded.  "The  landing, 
of  course,  will  be  effected  on  a  fair  beach,  under  cover  of  the 
frigate's  guns,  and  could  it  be  possibly  done,  the  schooner 
should  be  anchored  in  such  a  manner  as  to  throw  in  a  flank- 
ing fire  on  the  point  of  debarkation.  The  arrangements  for 
the  order  of  march  must  a  good  deal  depend  on  the  distance 
to  go  over ;  though  I  should  think,  sir,  an  advanced  party 
of  seamen,  to  act  as  pioneers  for  the  column  of  marines, 
should  be  pushed  a  short  distance  in  front,  while  the  bag- 
gage and  baggage-guard  might  rest  upon  the  frigate  until 
the  enemy  was  driven  into  the  interior,  when  it  could 
advance  without  danger.  There  should  be  flank-guards, 
under  the  orders  of  two  of  the  oldest  midshipmen  ;  and  a 
light  corps  might  be  formed  of  the  top-men  to  co-operate  with 
the  marines.  Of  course,  sir,  Mr.  Grifiith  will  lead,  in  per- 
son, the  musket-men  and  boarders,  armed  with  their  long 
pikes,  whom  I  presume  he  will  hold  in  reserve,  as  I  trust 
my  military  claims  and  experience  entitle  me  to  the  command 
of  the  main  body. ' ' 


70 


xrbe  pilot 


Well  done,  field-marshal  !  "  cried  Barnstable,  with  a  glee 
that  seldom  regarded  time  or  place  ;  "  you  should  never  let 
salt-water  mould  your  buttons  ;  but  in  Washington's  camp, 
ay  !  and  in  Washington's  tent,  you  should  swing  your  ham- 
mock in  future.  Why,  sir,  do  you  think  we  are  about  to 
invade  England  ? ' ' 

I  know  that  every  military  movement  should  be  executed 
with  precision,  Captain  Barnstable, "  returned  the  marine. 
'  *  I  am  too  much  accustomed  to  hear  the  sneers  of  the  sea- 
officers,  to  regard  what  I  know  proceeds  from  ignorance.  If 
Captain  Munson  is  disposed  to  employ  me  and  my  command 
in  this  expedition,  I  trust  he  will  discover  that  marines  are 
good  for  something  more  than  to  mount  guard  and  pay 
salutes."  Then,  turning  haughtily  from  his  antagonist,  he 
continued  to  address  himself  to  their  common  superior,  as  if 
disdaining  further  intercourse  with  one  who,  from  the 
nature  of  the  case,  must  be  unable  to  comprehend  the  force 
of  what  he  said.  "  It  will  be  prudent.  Captain  Munson,  to 
send  out  a  party  to  reconnoitre,  before  we  march  ;  and  as  it 
may  be  necessary  to  defend  ourselves  in  case  of  a  repulse,  I 
would  beg  leave  to  recommend  that  a  corps  be  provided  with 
intrenching  tools,  to  accompany  the  expedition.  They  would 
be  extremely  useful,  sir,  in  assisting  to  throw  up  field-works  ; 
though,  I  doubt  not,  tools  might  be  found  in  abundance  in 
this  country,  and  laborers  impressed  for  the  service,  on  an 
emergency." 

This  was  too  much  for  the  risibility  of  Barnstable,  who 
broke  forth  in  a  fit  of  scornful  laughter,  which  no  one  saw 
proper  to  interrupt ;  though  Griffith,  on  turning  his  head,  to 
conceal  the  smile  that  was  gathering  on  his  own  face, 
perceived  the  fierce  glance  which  the  Pilot  threw  at  the 
merry  seaman,  and  wondered  at  its  significance  and  im- 
patience. When  Captain  Munson  thought  that  the  mirth  of 
the  lieutenant  was  concluded,  he  mildly  desired  his  reasons 
for  amusing  himself  so  exceedingly  with  the  plans  of  the 
marine. 

'T  is  a  chart  for  a  campaign  !  "  cried  Barnstable,  and 
should  be  sent  ofi"  express  to  Congress,  before  the  Frenchmen 
are  brought  into  the  field  !  " 


i 

Ubc  pilot  71 


"  Have  you  any  better  plan  to  propose,  Mr.  Barnstable  ?  " 
inquired  the  patient  commander. 

' '  Better  !  ay,  one  that  will  take  no  time,  and  cause  no 
trouble,  to  execute  it,"  cried  the  other  ;  " 't  is  a  seaman's 
job,  sir,  and  must  be  done  with  a  seaman's  means." 

"Pardon  me,  Captain  Barnstable,"  interrupted  the  ma- 
rine, whose  jocular  vein  was  entirely  absorbed  in  his  military 
pride  ;  *  *  if  there  be  service  to  be  done  on  shore,  I  claim  it  as 
my  right  to  be  employed. '  * 

* '  Claim  what  you  will,  soldier  ;  but  how  will  you  carry 
on  the  war  with  a  parcel  of  fellows  who  don't  know  one 
end  of  a  boat  from  the  other  ? ' '  returned  the  reckless  sailor. 
"  Do  you  think  that  a  barge  or  a  cutter  is  to  be  beached  in 
the  same  manner  you  ground  firelock,  by  word  of  command  ? 
No,  no.  Captain  Manual — I  honor  your  courage,  for  I  have 
seen  it  tried,  but  d  e  if — ' ' 

"  You  forget,  we  wait  for  your  project,  Mr.  Barnstable," 
said  the  veteran. 

"  I  crave  your  patience,  sir  ;  but  no  project  is  necessary. 
Point  out  the  bearings  and  distance  of  the  place  where  the 
men  you  want  are  to  be  found,  and  I  will  take  the  heel  of 
the  gale,  and  run  in  to  the  land,  always  speaking  for  good 
water  and  no  rocks.  Mr.  Pilot,  you  will  accompany  me,  for 
you  carry  as  true  a  map  of  the  bottom  of  these  seas  in  your 
head  as  ever  was  made  of  dry  ground.  I  will  look  out  for 
good  anchorage  ;  or  if  the  wind  should  blow  off  shore,  let 
the  schooner  stand  off  and  on,  till  we  should  be  ready  to  take 
the  broad  sea  again.  I  would  land,  out  of  my  whale-boat, 
with  long  Tom  and  a  boat's  crew,  and  finding  out  the  place 
you  will  describe,  we  shall  go  up,  and  take  the  men  you 
want,  and  bring  them  aboard.  It 's  all  plain  sailing  ;  though 
as  it  is  a  well-peopled  country,  it  maybe  necessary  to  do  our 
shore  work  in  the  dark." 

"Mr.  Grifiith,  we  only  wait  for  your  sentiments,"  pro- 
ceeded the  captain,  "  when,  by  comparing  opinions,  we  may 
decide  on  the  most  prudent  course." 

The  first  lieutenant  had  been  much  absorbed  in  thought 
during  the  discussion  of  the  subject,  and  might  have  been, 
on  that  account,  better  prepared  to  give  his  opinion  with 


72 


Ube  pilot 


effect.  Pointing  to  the  man  who  yet  stood  behind  him,  lean- 
ing on  a  gun,  he  commenced  by  asking, — 

' '  Is  it  your  intention  that  man  shall  accompany  the 
party  ?  ' ' 

*'It  is." 

* '  And  from  him  you  expect  the  necessary  information, 
sir,  to  guide  our  movements  ? ' ' 

' '  You  are  altogether  right. ' ' 
If,  sir,  he  has  but  a  moiety  of  the  skill  on  the  land  that 
he  possesses  on  the  water,  I  will  answer  for  his  success," 
returned  the  lieutenant,  bowing  slightly  to  the  stranger, 
who  received  the  compliment  by  a  cold  inclination  of  his 
head.  ' '  I  must  desire  the  indulgence  of  both  Mr.  Barn- 
stable and  Captain  Manual,"  he  continued,  "  and  claim  the 
command  as  of  right  belonging  to  my  rank. ' ' 

"  It  belongs  naturally  to  the  schooner,"  exclaimed  the 
impatient  Barnstable. 

''There  may  be  enough  for  us  all  to  do,"  said  Griffith, 
elevating  a  finger  to  the  other,  in  a  manner,  and  with  an 
impressive  look,  that  was  instantly  comprehended.  *'I 
neither  agree  wholly  with  the  one  nor  the  other  of  these 
gentlemen.  'Tis  said,  that  since  our  appearance  on  the 
coast,  the  dwellings  of  many  of  the  gentry  are  guarded  by 
small  detachments  of  soldiers  from  the  neighboring  towns." 

* '  Who  says  it  ?  "  asked  the  Pilot,  advancing  among  them 
with  a  suddenness  that  caused  a  general  silence. 

"I  say  it,  sir,"  returned  the  lieutenant,  when  the  mo- 
mentary surprise  had  passed  away. 

"  Can  you  vouch  for  it  ?  " 

"lean." 

"Name  a  house,  or  an  individual,  that  is  thus  pro- 
tected?" 

Griffith  gazed  at  the  man  who  thus  forgot  himself  in  the 
midst  of  a  consultation  like  the  present,  and  yielding  to  his 
native  pride,  hesitated  to  reply.  But  mindful  of  the  decla- 
rations of  his  captain,  and  the  recent  services  of  the  Pilot, 
he  at  length  said,  with  a  little  embarrassment  of  manner,— 

"I  know  it  to  be  the  fact,  in  the  dwelUng  of  a  Colonel 
Howard,  who  resides  but  a  few  leagues  to  the  north  of  us.'' 


Xrbe  pilot 


73 


The  stranger  started  at  the  name,  and  then  raising  hi? 
eye  keenly  to  the  face  of  the  young  man,  appeared  to  study 
his  thoughts  in  his  varying  countenance.  But  the  action, 
and  the  pause  that  followed,  were  of  short  continuance. 
His  lip  slightly  curled,  whether  in  scorn  or  with  a  concealed 
smile,  would  have  been  diJG&cult  to  say,  so  closely  did  it 
resemble  both,  and  as  he  dropped  quietly  back  to  his  place 
at  the  gun,  he  said, — 

'*'Tis  more  than  probable  you  are  right,  sir;  and  if  I 
might  presume  to  advise  Captain  Munson,  it  would  be  to 
lay  great  weight  on  your  opinion." 

Griffith  turned,  to  see  if  he  could  comprehend  more 
meaning  in  the  manner  of  the  stranger  than  his  words 
expressed,  but  his  face  was  again  shaded  by  his  hand,  and 
his  eyes  were  once  more  fixed  on  the  chart  with  the  same 
vacant  abstraction  as  before. 

"I  have  said,  sir,  that  I  agree  wholly  neither  with  Mr. 
Barnstable  nor  Captain  Manual,"  continued  the  lieutenant, 
after  a  short  pause.  *  *  The  command  of  this  party  is  mine, 
as  the  senior  officer,  and  I  must  beg  leave  to  claim  it.  I 
certainly  do  not  think  the  preparation  that  Captain  Manual 
advises  necessary  ;  neither  would  I  undertake  the  duty  with 
as  little  caution  as  Mr.  Barnstable  proposes.  If  there  are 
soldiers  to  be  encountered,  we  should  have  soldiers  to 
oppose  them ;  but  as  it  must  be  sudden  boat  work,  and 
regular  evolutions  must  give  place  to  a  seaman's  bustle,  a 
sea-officer  should  command.  Is  my  request  granted,  Cap- 
tain Munson?  " 

The  veteran  replied,  without  hesitation, — 

' '  It  is,  sir  ;  it  was  my  intention  to  offer  you  the  service, 
and  I  rejoice  to  see  you  accept  it  so  cheerfully." 

Griffith  with  difficulty  concealed  the  satisfaction  with 
which  he  listened  to  his  commander,  and  a  radiant  smile 
illumined  his  pale  features,  when  he  observed, — 

"With  me  then,  sir,  let  the  responsibility  rest.  I  request 
that  Captain  Manual,  with  twenty  men,  may  be  put  under 
my  orders,  if  that  gentleman  does  not  dislike  the  duty." 
The  marine  bowed,  and  cast  a  glance  of  triumph  at  Barn- 
stable.   *'I  will  take  my  own  cutter,  with  her  tried  crew, 


74 


XTbe  pilot 


go  on  board  the  schooner,  and  when  the  wind  lulls,  we  will 
run  in  to  the  land,  and  then  be  governed  by  circumstances. 

The  commander  of  the  schooner  threw  back  the  tri- 
umphant look  of  the  marine,  and  exclaimed,  in  his  joyous 
manner, — 

'Tis  a  good  plan,  and  done  like  a  seaman,  Mr.  Griffith. 
Ay,  ay,  let  the  schooner  be  employed ;  and  if  it  be  neces- 
sary, you  shall  see  her  anchored  in  one  of  their  duck-ponds, 
with  her  broadside  to  bear  on  the  parlor-windows  of  the 
best  house  in  the  island  !  But  twenty  marines  !  they  will 
cause  a  jam  in  m)^  little  craft." 

* '  Not  a  man  less  than  twenty  would  be  prudent, ' '  re- 
turned Griffith.  ''More  service  may  offer  than  that  we 
seek." 

Barnstable  well  understood  his  allusion,  but  still  he  re- 
plied,— 

"  Make  it  all  seamen,  and  I  will  give  you  room  for 
thirty.  But  these  soldiers  never  know  how  to  stow  away 
their  arms  and  legs,  unless  at  a  drill.  One  will  take  the 
room  of  two  sailors  ;  they  swing  their  hammocks  athwart- 
ships,  heads  to  leeward,  and  then  turn  out  wrong  end 
uppermost  at  the  call.  Why,  damn  it,  sir,  the  chalk  and 
rotten-stone  of  twenty  soldiers  will  choke  my  hatches  ! ' ' 

"  Give  me  the  launch,  Captain  Munson  !  "  exclaimed  the 
indignant  marine,  *  *  and  we  will  follow  Mr.  Griffith  in  an 
open  boat,  rather  than  put  Captain  Barnstable  to  so  much 
inconvenience." 

**No,  no.  Manual,"  cried  the  other,  extending  his  mus- 
cular arm  across  the  table,  with  an  open  palm,  to  the  soldier  ; 
"  you  would  all  become  so  many  Jonahs  in  uniform,  and  I 
doubt  whether  the  fish  could  digest  your  cartridge-boxes 
and  bayonet-belts.  You  shall  go  with  me,  and  learn,  with 
your  own  eyes,  whether  we  keep  the  cat's  watch  aboard  the 
Ariel  that  you  joke  about." 

The  laugh  was  general,  at  the  expense  of  the  soldier,  if 
we  except  the  Pilot  and  the  commander  of  the  frigate.  The 
former  was  a  silent,  and  apparently  an  abstracted,  but  in 
reality  a  deeply  interested  listener  to  the  discourse ;  and 
there  were  moments  when  he  bent  his  looks  on  the  speakers, 


! 


XTbe  IPtlot 


75 


as  if  he  sought  more  in  their  characters  than  was  exhibited 
by  the  gay  trifling  of  the  moment.  Captain  Munson  seldom 
allowed  a  muscle  of  his  wrinkled  features  to  disturb  their 
repose ;  and  if  he  had  not  the  real  dignity  to  repress  the 
untimely  mirth  of  his  officers,  he  had  too  much  good  nature 
to  wish  to  disturb  their  harmless  enjoyments.  He  expressed 
himself  satisfied  with  the  proposed  arrangements,  and  beck- 
oned to  his  steward  to  place  before  them  the  usual  beverage, 
with  which  all  their  consultations  concluded. 

The  sailing-master  appeared  to  think  that  the  same  order 
was  to  be  observed  in  their  potations  as  in  council,  and 
helping  himself  to  an  allowance  which  retained  its  hue  even 
in  its  diluted  state,  he  first  raised  it  to  the  light,  and  then 
observed, — 

This  ship's  water  is  nearly  the  color  of  rum  itself ;  if  it 
only  had  its  flavor,  what  a  set  of  hearty  dogs  we  should  be  ! 
Mr.  Griffith,  I  find  you  are  willing  to  haul  your  land- tacks 
aboard.  Well,  it  's  natural  for  youth  to  love  the  earth  ;  but 
there  is  one  man,  and  he  is  sailing-master  of  this  ship,  who 
saw  land  enough,  last  night,  to  last  him  a  twelvemonth. 
But  if  you  will  go,  here  's  a  good  land-fall,  and  a  better 
offing  to  you.  Captain  Munson,  my  respects  to  you.  I 
say,  sir,  if  we  should  keep  the  ship  more  to  the  south' ard, 
it 's  my  opinion,  and  that 's  but  one  man's,  we  should  fall  in 
with  some  of  the  enemy's  homeward-bound  West-Indiamen, 
and  find  wherewithal  to  keep  the  life  in  us  when  we  see 
fit  to  go  ashore  ourselves. ' ' 

As  the  tough  old  sailor  made  frequent  application  of  the 
glass  to  his  mouth  with  one  hand,  and  kept  a  firm  hold  of 
the  decanter  with  the  other,  during  this  speech,  his  com- 
panions were  compelled  to  listen  to  his  eloquence,  or  depart 
with  their  thirst  unassuaged.  Barnstable,  however,  quite 
coolly  dispossessed  the  tar  of  the  bottle,  and  mixing  for 
himself  a  more  equal  potation,  obser\^ed,  in  the  act, — 

"That  is  the  most  remarkable  glass  of  grog  you  have, 
Boltrope,  that  I  ever  sailed  with  ;  it  draws  as  little  w^ater  as 
the  Ariel,  and  is  as  hard  to  find  the  bottom.  If  your  spirit- 
room  enjoys  the  same  sort  of  engine  to  replenish  it,  as  you 
pump  out  your  nun,  Congress  will  sail  this  frigate  cheaply." 


76 


Zbc  pilot 


The  other  officers  helped  themselves  with  still  greater 
moderation,  Griffith  barely  moistening  his  lips,  and  the 
Pilot  rejecting  the  offered  glass  altogether.  Captain  Mun- 
son  continued  standing,  and  his  officers,  perceiving  that 
their  presence  was  no  longer  necessary,  bowed,  and  took 
their  leave.  As  Griffith  was  retiring  last,  he  felt  a  hand 
laid  lightly  on  his  shoulder,  and  turning,  perceived  that  he 
was  detained  by  the  Pilot. 

* '  Mr.  Griffith, ' '  he  said,  when  they  were  quite  alone  with 
the  commander  of  the  frigate,  ' '  the  occurrences  of  the  last 
night  should  teach  us  confidence  in  each  other  ;  without  it, 
we  go  on  a  dangerous  and  fruitless  errand. ' ' 

'  *  Is  the  hazard  equal  ?  ' '  returned  the  youth.  ' '  I  am 
known  to  all  to  be  the  man  I  seem — am  in  the  service  of 
my  country — belong  to  a  family,  and  enjoy  a  name,  that 
is  a  pledge  for  my  loyalty  to  the  cause  of  America ;  and 
yet  I  trust  myself  on  hostile  ground,  in  the  midst  of  enemies, 
with  a  weak  arm,  and  under  circumstances  where  treachery 
would  prove  my  ruin.  Who  and  what  is  the  man  who  thus 
enjoys  yoru  confidence.  Captain  Munson?  I  ask  the  ques- 
tion less  for  myself  than  for  the  gallant  men  who  will  fear- 
lessly follow  wherever  I  lead." 

A  shade  of  dark  displeasure  crossed  the  features  of  the 
stranger,  at  one  part  of  this  speech,  and  at  its  close  he  sank 
into  deep  thought.    The  commander,  however,  replied, — 

"There  is  a  show  of  reason  in  your  question,  Mr.  Griffith, 
and  yet  you  are  not  the  man  to  be  told  that  implicit 
obedience  is  what  I  have  a  right  to  expect.  I  have  not 
your  pretentions,  sir,  by  birth  or  education,  and  yet  Con- 
gress have  not  seen  proper  to  overlook  my  years  and  services, 
I  command  this  frigate — " 

Say  no  more,"  interrupted  the  Pilot.  There  is  reason 
in  his  doubts,  and  they  shall  be  appeased.  I  like  the  proud 
and  fearless  eye  of  the  young  man,  and  while  he  dreads  a 
gibbet  from  my  hands,  I  will  show  him  how  to  repose  a 
noble  confidence.  Read  this,  sir,  and  tell  me  if  you  distrust 
me  now  ?  ' ' 

While  the  stranger  spoke,  he  thrust  his  hand  into  the 
bosom  of  his  dress,  and  drew  forth  a  parchment,  decorated 


Ube  pilot 


77 


with  ribbons,  and  bearing  a  massive  seal,  which  he  opened, 
and  laid  on  the  table  before  the  youth.  As  he  pointed  with 
his  finger  impressively,  to  different  parts  of  the  writing,  his 
eye  kindled  with  a  look  of  unusual  fire,  and  there  was  a 
faint  tinge  discernible  on  his  pallid  features  when  he  spoke. 

**See  !  "  he  said,  "  royalty  itself  does  not  hesitate  to  bear 
witness  in  my  favor,  and  that  is  not  a  name  to  occasion  dread 
to  an  American." 

Grifiith  gazed  with  wonder  at  the  fair  signature  of  the 
unfortunate  lyouis,  which  graced  the  bottom  of  the  parch- 
ment ;  but  when  his  eye  obeyed  the  signal  of  the  stranger, 
and  rested  on  the  body  of  the  instrument,  he  started  back 
from  the  table,  and  fixing  his  animated  eyes  on  the  Pilot,  he 
cried,  while  a  glow  of  fiery  courage  flitted  across  his  coun- 
tenance,— 

Lead  on  !  I  '11  follow  you  to  death  !  " 

A  smile  of  gratified  exultation  struggled  around  the  lips 
of  the  stranger,  who  took  the  arm  of  the  young  man,  and 
led  him  into  a  state-room,  leaving  the  commander  of  the 
frigate,  standing  in  his  unmoved  and  quiet  manner^  a 
Spectator  of,  but  hardly  an  actor  in,  the  scene. 


CHAPTER  Vin. 

**  Fierce  bounding,  forward  sprang  the  ship, 
Like  greyhound  starting  from  the  slip 
To  seize  his  flying  prey." 

Lord  of  the  Isles, 

ALTHOUGH  the  subject  of  the  consultation  re- 
mained a  secret  with  those  whose  opinions  weie 
required,  yet  enough  of  the  result  leaked  out 
among  the  subordinate  officers,  to  throw  the 
whole  crew  into  a  state  of  eager  excitement.  The  rumor 
spread  itself  along  the  decks  of  the  frigate,  with  the  rapid- 
ity of  an  alarm,  that  an  expedition  was  to  attempt  the  shore 
on  some  hidden  service,  dictated  by  the  Congress  itself ;  and 
conjectures  were  made  respecting  its  force  and  destination, 
with  all  that  interest  which  might  be  imagined  would  exist 
among  the  men  whose  lives  or  liberties  were  to  abide  the 
issue.  A  gallant  and  reckless  daring,  mingled  with  the 
desire  of  novelty,  however,  was  the  prevailing  sentiment 
among  the  crew,  who  would  have  received  with  cheers  the 
intelligence  that  their  vessel  was  commanded  to  force  the 
passage  of  the  united  British  fleet.  A  few  of  the  older  and 
more  prudent  of  the  sailors  were  exceptions  to  this  thought- 
less hardihood,  and  one  or  two,  among  whom  the  cockswain 
of  the  whale-boat  was  the  most  conspicuous,  ventured  to 
speak  doubtingly  of  all  sorts  of  land  service,  as  being  of  a 
nature  never  to  be  attempted  by  seamen. 

Captain  Manual  had  his  men  paraded  in  the  weather- 
gangway  ;  and  after  a  short  address,  calculated  to  inflame 
their  military  ardor  and  patriotism,  acquainted  them  that 
he  required  twenty  volunteers,  which  was  in  truth  half  their 


I 

\ 

XTbe  pilot  79 


number,  for  a  dangerous  service.  After  a  short  pause,  the 
company  stepped  forward,  like  one  man,  and  announced 
themselves  as  ready  to  follow  him  to  the  end  of  the  world. 
The  marine  cast  a  look  over  his  shoulder,  at  this  gratifying 
declaration,  in  quest  of  Barnstable  ;  but  observing  that  the 
sailor  was  occupied  with  some  papers  on  a  distant  part  of 
the  quarter-deck,  he  proceeded  to  make  a  most  impartial 
division  among  the  candidates  for  glory  ;  taking  care  at  the 
same  time,  to  cull  his  company  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give 
himself  the  flower  of  his  men,  and,  consequently,  to  leave 
the  ship  the  refuse. 

While  this  arrangement  was  taking  place,  and  the  crew 
of  the  frigate  was  in  this  state  of  excitement,  Grifiith  as- 
cended to  the  deck,  his  countenance  flushed  with  unusual 
enthusiasm,  and  his  e3^es  beaming  with  a  look  of  animation 
and  gayety,  that  had  long  been  strangers  to  the  face  of  the 
young  man.  He  was  giving  forth  the  few  necessary  orders 
to  the  seamen  he  was  to  take  with  him  from  the  ship,  when 
Barnstable  again  motioned  him  to  follow,  and  led  the  way 
once  more  to  the  state-room. 

' '  Let  the  wind  blow  its  pipe  out, ' '  said  the  commander 
of  the  Ariel,  when  they  were  seated;  ''there  will  be  no 
landing  on  the  eastern  coast  of  England  till  the  sea  goes 
down.  But  this  Kate  was  made  for  a  sailor's  wife  !  See, 
Grif&th,  what  a  set  of  signals  she  has  formed,  out  of  her 
own  cunning  head." 

* '  I  hope  your  opinion  may  prove  true,  and  that  you  may 
be  the  happy  sailor  who  is  to  wed  her, ' '  returned  the  other. 
* '  The  girl  has  indeed  discovered  surprising  art  in  this  busi- 
ness !  where  could  she  have  learnt  the  method  and  system  so 
well?" 

"Where  !  why,  where  she  learnt  better  things  ;  how  to 
prize  a  whole-hearted  seaman,  for  instance.  Do  you  think 
that  my  tongue  was  jammed  in  my  mouth,  all  the  time  we 
used  to  sit  by  the  side  of  the  river  in  Carolina,  and  that 
we  found  nothing  to  talk  about  !  ' ' 

"  Did  you  amuse  your  mistress  with  treatises  on  the  art 
of  navigation,  and  the  science  of  signals?"  said  Griffith, 
smiling. 


So 


Ube  pilot 


"  I  answered  her  questions,  Mr.  Griffith,  as  any  civil  man 
would  to  a  woman  he  loved.  The  girl  has  as  much  curios- 
ity as  one  of  my  own  townswomen  who  has  weathered  cape 
forty  without  a  husband,  and  her  tongue  goes  like  a  dog- 
vane  in  a  calm,  first  one  way  and  then  another.  But  here 
is  her  dictionary.  Now  own,  Grifi".,  in  spite  of  your  col- 
lege learning  and  sentimentals,  that  a  woman  of  ingenuity 
and  cleverness  is  a  very  good  sort  of  a  help-mate. ' ' 

I  never  doubted  the  merits  of  Miss  Plowden,"  said  the 
other,  with  a  droll  gravity  that  often  mingled  with  his 
deeper  feelings,  the  result  of  a  sailor's  habits,  blended  with 
native  character.  ' '  But  this  indeed  surpasses  all  my  expec- 
tations !  Why,  she  has,  in  truth,  made  a  most  judicious 
selection  of  phrases.  '  No.  i68.  ****  indelible  ; '  '169. 
****  end  only  with  life  ;  '  *  170.  ****  I  fear  yours  misleads 
me;'  '  171.'—" 

'  *  Pshaw  ! ' '  exclaimed  Barnstable,  snatching  the  book 
from  before  the  laughing  eyes  of  Griffith  ;  "  what  folly,  to 
throw  away  our  time  now  on  such  nonsense  !  What  think 
you  of  this  expedition  to  the  land  ?  ' ' 

'  *  That  it  may  be  the  means  of  rescuing  the  ladies,  though 
it  fail  in  making  the  prisoners  we  anticipate. ' ' 

' '  But  this  Pilot  !  you  remember  that  he  holds  us  by  our 
necks,  and  can  run  us  all  up  to  the  yard-arm  of  some  Kng- 
lish  ship,  whenever  he  chooses  to  open  his  throat  at  their 
threats  or  bribes." 

' '  It  would  have  been  better  that  he  should  have  cast  the 
ship  ashore,  when  he  had  her  entangled  in  the  shoals  ;  it 
would  have  been  our  last  thought  to  suspect  him  of  treach- 
ery then,"  returned  Griffith.  "I  follow  him  with  confi- 
dence, and  must  believe  that  we  are  safer  with  him  than  we 
should  be  without  him." 

' '  lyCt  him  lead  to  the  dwelling  of  his  fox-hunting  minis- 
ters of  state,"  cried  Barnstable,  thrusting  his  book  of  sig- 
nals into  his  bosom  ;  ' '  but  here  is  a  chart  that  will  show  us 
the  way  to  the  port  we  wish  to  find.  Let  my  foot  once 
more  touch  ierra  Jirma,  and  you  may  write  craven  against 
my  name,  if  that  laughing  vixen  slips  her  cable  before  my 
eyes,  and  shoots  into  the  wind's  eye  again  like  a  flying-fish 


Xlbe  pilot 


8i 


chased  by  a  dolphin.  Mr.  Griffith,  we  must  have  the  chap- 
lain with  us  to  the  shore." 

' '  The  madness  of  love  is  driving  you  into  the  errors  of 
the  soldier.  Would  you  lie-by  to  hear  sermons,  with  a  fly^ 
ing  party  like  ours  ? ' ' 

' '  Nay,  nay,  we  must  lay-to  for  nothing  that  is  not 
unavoidable  ;  but  there  are  so  many  tacks  in  such  a  chase, 
when  one  has  time  to  breathe,  that  we  might  as  well  spend 
our  leisure  in  getting  that  fellow  to  splice  us  together.  He 
has  a  handy  way  with  a  prayer-book,  and  could  do  the  job 
as  well  as  a  bishop ;  and  I  should  like  to  be  able  to  say, 
that  this  is  the  last  time  these  two  saucy  names,  which  are 
written  at  the  bottom  of  this  letter,  should  ever  be  seen 
sailing  in  the  company  of  each  other." 

* '  It  will  not  do, ' '  said  his  friend,  shaking  his  head,  and 
endeavoring  to  force  a  smile  which  his  feelings  suppressed  ; 
' '  it  will  not  do,  Richard  ;  we  must  yield  our  own  inclina-. 
tions  to  the  service  of  our  country  ;  nor  is  this  Pilot  a  man 
who  will  consent  to  be  led  from  his  purpose." 

' '  Then  let  him  follow  his  purpose  alone, ' '  cried  Barnsta- 
ble. "  There  is  no  human  power,  always  saving  my  supe- 
rior officer,  that  shall  keep  me  from  throwing  abroad  these 
tiny  signals,  and  having  a  private  talk  with  my  dark-eyed 
Kate.  But  for  a  paltry  pilot !  he  may  luff  and  bear  away 
as  he  pleases,  while  I  shall  steer  as  true  as  a  magnet  for  that 
old  ruin,  where  I  can  bring  my  eyes  to  bear  on  that  roman- 
tic wing  and  three  smoky  vanes.  Not  that  I  '11  forget  my 
duty  ;  no,  I  '11  help  you  catch  the  Englishmen ;  but  when 
that  is  done,  hey !  for  Katherine  Plowden  and  my  true 
love!" 

' '  Hush,  madcap  !  the  ward-room  holds  long  ears,  and  our 
bulk-heads  grow  thin  by  wear.  I  must  keep  you  and  myself 
to  our  duty.  This  is  no  children's  game  that  we  play  ;  it 
seems  the  commissioners  at  Paris  have  thought  proper  to 
employ  a  frigate  in  the  sport. ' ' 

Barnstable's  gayety  was  a  little  repressed  by  the  grave 
manner  of  his  companion  ;  but  after  reflecting  a  moment,  he 
started  on  his  feet,  and  made  the  usual  movements  for  de- 
parture. 


82 


TLbc  mot 


''Whither?"  asked  Griffith,  gently  detaining  his  impa« 
tient  friend. 

' '  To  old  Moderate  ;  I  have  a  proposal  to  make  that  may 
remove  every  difficulty." 

*  *  Name  it  to  me,  then  ;  I  am  in  his  council,  and  may  save 
you  the  trouble  and  mortification  of  a  refusal." 

"How  many  of  those  gentry  does  he  wish  to  line  his 
cabin  with  ?  ' ' 

* '  The  Pilot  has  named  no  less  than  six,  all  men  of  rank 
and  consideration  with  the  enemy.  Two  of  them  are  peers, 
two  more  belong  to  the  Commons  House  of  Parliament,  one 
is  a  general,  and  the  sixth,  like  ourselves,  is  a  sailor,  and 
holds  the  rank  of  captain.  They  muster  at  a  hunting-seat 
near  the  coast,  and  believe  me,  the  scheme  is  not  without 
its  plausibility." 

"Well,  then,  there  are  two  apiece  for  us.  You  follow  the 
Pilot,  if  you  will  ;  but  let  me  sheer  off  for  this  dwelling  of 
Colonel  Howard,  with  my  cockswain  and  boat's  crew.  I 
will  surprise  his  house,  release  the  ladies,  and  on  my  way 
back,  lay  my  hands  on  two  of  the  first  lords  I  fall  in  with ; 
I  suppose,  for  our  business,  one  is  as  good  as  another. ' ' 

Griffith  could  not  repress  a  faint  laugh,  while  he  re- 
plied,— 

"  Though  they  are  said  to  be  each  other's  peers,  there  is, 
I  believe,  some  difference  even  in  the  quality  of  lords.  Eng- 
land might  thank  us  for  ridding  her  of  some  among  them. 
Neither  are  they  to  be  found,  like  beggars,  under  every 
hedge.  No,  no,  the  men  we  seek  must  have  something  bet- 
ter than  their  nobility  to  recommend  them  to  our  favor.  But 
let  us  examine  more  closely  into  this  plan  and  map  of  Miss 
Plowden  ;  something  may  occur  that  shall  yet  bring  the 
place  within  our  circuit,  like  a  contingent  duty  of  the 
cruise." 

Barnstable  reluctantly  relinquished  his  own  wild  plan  to 
the  more  sober  judgment  of  his  friend,  and  they  passed  an 
hour  together,  inquiring  into  the  practicability,  and  consult- 
ing on  the  means,  of  making  their  public  duty  subserve  the 
purposes  of  their  private  feelings. 

The  gale  continued  to  blow  heavily  during  the  whole  of 


Ube  iPilot 


83 


that  morning ;  but  towards  noon  the  usual  indications  of 
better  weather  became  apparent.  During  these  few  hours 
of  inaction  in  the  frigate,  the  marines,  who  were  drafted  for 
service  on  the  land,  moved  through  the  vessel  with  a  busy  and 
stirring  air,  as  if  they  were  about  to  participate  in  the  glory 
and  danger  of  the  campaign  their  officer  had  planned,  while 
the  few  seamen  who  were  to  accompany  the  expedition 
steadily  paced  the  deck,  with  their  hands  thrust  into  the 
bosoms  of  their  neat  blue  jackets,  or  occasionally  stretched 
towards  the  horizon,  as  their  fingers  traced,  for  their  less 
experienced  shipmates,  the  signs  of  an  abatement  in  the  gale 
among  the  driving  clouds.  The  last  lagger  among  the  sol- 
diers had  appeared,  with  his  knapsack  on  his  back,  in  the 
lee-gangway,  where  his  comrades  were  collected,  armed  and 
accoutered  for  the  strife,  when  Captain  Munson  ascended 
to  the  quarter-deck,  accompanied  by  the  stranger  and  his 
first  lieutenant.  A  word  was  spoken  by  the  latter  in  a  low 
voice  to  a  midshipman,  who  skipped  gayly  along  the  deck, 
and  presently  the  shrill  call  of  the  boatswain  was  heard, 
preceding  the  hoarse  cry  of — 

'  *  Away  there,  you  Tigers,  away  ! ' ' 

A  smart  roll  of  the  drum  followed,  and  the  marines  pa- 
raded, while  the  six  seamen  who  belonged  to  the  cutter  that 
owned  so  fierce  a  name,  made  their  preparations  for  lower- 
ing their  little  bark  from  the  quarter  of  the  frigate  into  the 
troubled  sea.  Everything  was  conducted  in  the  most  exact 
order,  and  with  a  coolness  and  skill  that  bade  defiance  to 
the  turbxilence  of  the  angry  elements.  The  marines  were 
safely  transported  from  the  ship  to  the  schooner,  under  the 
favoring  shelter  of  the  former,  though  the  boat  appeared,  at 
times,  to  be  seeking  the  cavities  of  the  ocean,  and  again  to 
be  riding  in  the  clouds,  as  she  passed  from  one  vessel  to  the 
other. 

At  length  it  was  announced  that  the  cutter  was  ready  to 
receive  the  officers  of  the  party.  The  Pilot  walked  aside, 
and  held  private  discourse,  for  a  few  moments,  with  the 
commander,  who  listened  to  his  sentences  with  marked  and 
singular  attention.  When  their  confidence  was  ended,  the 
veteran  bared  his  gray  head  to  the  blasts,  and  offered  his 


84 


Ube  pilot 


hand  to  the  other,  with  a  seaman's  frankness,  mingled  with 
the  deference  of  an  inferior.  The  compUment  was  cour- 
teously returned  by  the  stranger,  who  turned  quickly  on  his 
heel,  and  directed  the  attention  of  those  who  awaited  his 
movements,  by  a  significant  gesture,  to  the  gangway. 

Come,  gentlemen,  let  us  go,"  said  Griffith,  starting  from 
a  reverie,  and  bowing  his  hasty  compliments  to  his  brethren 
in  arms. 

When  it  appeared  that  his  superiors  were  ready  to  enter 
the  boat,  the  boy,  who,  by  nautical  courtesy,  was  styled  Mr. 
Merry,  and  who  had  been  ordered  to  be  in  readiness,  sprang 
over  the  side  of  the  frigate,  and  glided  into  the  cutter,  with 
the  activity  of  a  squirrel.  But  the  captain  of  marines  paused, 
and  cast  a  meaning  glance  at  the  Pilot,  whose  place  it  was 
to  precede  him.  The  stranger,  as  he  lingered  on  the  deck, 
was  examining  the  aspect  of  the  heavens,  and  seemed  un- 
conscious of  the  expectations  of  the  soldier,  who  gave  vent 
to  his  impatience,  after  a  moment's  detention,  by  saying, — 

"  We  wait  for  you,  Mr.  Gray." 

Aroused  by  the  sound  of  his  name,  the  Pilot  glanced  his 
quick  eye  on  the  speaker,  but  instead  of  advancing,  he  gen- 
tly bent  his  body,  as  he  again  signed  towards  the  gangway 
with  his  hand.  To  the  astonishment  not  only  of  the  soldier, 
but  of  all  who  witnessed  this  breach  of  naval  etiquette, 
Griffith  bowed  low,  and  entered  the  boat  with  the  same 
promptitude  as  if  he  were  preceding  an  admiral.  Whether 
the  stranger  became  conscious  of  his  want  of  courtesy,  or 
was  too  indifferent  to  surrounding  objects  to  note  occur- 
rences, he  immediately  followed  himself,  leaving  to  the  ma- 
rine the  post  of  honor.  The  latter,  who  was  distinguished 
for  his  skill  in  all  matters  of  naval  or  military  etiquette, 
thought  proper  to  apologize,  at  a  fitting  time,  to  the  first 
lieutenant,  for  suffering  his  senior  officer  to  precede  him  into 
a  boat,  but  never  failed  to  show  a  becoming  exultation, 
when  he  recounted  the  circumstances,  by  dwelling  on  the 
manner  in  which  he  had  brought  down  the  pride  of  the 
haughty  Pilot. 

Barnstable  had  been  several  hours  on  board  his  little  ves- 
sel, which  was  every  way  prepared  for  their  reception  ;  and 


Ubc  HMlot 


85 


as  soon  as  the  heavy  cutter  of  the  frigate  was  hoisted  on  her 
deck,  he  announced  that  the  schooner  was  ready  to  sail.  It 
has  been  already  intimated,  that  the  Ariel  belonged  to  the 
smallest  class  of  sea-vessels  ;  and  as  the  symmetry  of  her 
construction  reduced  even  that  size  in  appearance,  she  was 
peculiarly  well  adapted  to  the  sort  of  service  in  which  she 
was  about  to  be  employed.  Notwithstanding  her  lightness 
rendered  her  nearly  as  buoyant  as  a  cork,  and  at  times  she 
actually  seemed  to  ride  on  the  foam,  her  low  decks  were  per- 
petually washed  by  the  heavy  seas  that  dashed  against  her 
frail  sides,  and  she  tossed  and  rolled  in  the  hollows  of  the 
waves,  in  a  manner  that  compelled  even  the  practised  sea- 
men who  trod  her  decks  to  move  with  guarded  steps.  Still 
she  was  trimmed  and  cleared  with  an  air  of  nautical  neatness 
and  attention  that  afforded  the  utmost  possible  room  for  her 
dimensions  ;  and  though  in  miniature,  she  wore  the  trap- 
pings  of  war  as  proudly  as  if  the  metal  she  bore  was  of  a 
more  fatal  and  dangerous  character.  The  murderous  gun, 
which,  since  the  period  of  which  we  are  writing,  has  been 
universally  adopted  in  all  vessels  of  inferior  size,  was  then 
in  the  infancy  of  its  invention,  and  was  known  to  the  Amer- 
ican mariner  only  by  reputation,  under  the  appalling  name 
of  a  "  smasher."  Of  a  vast  calibre,  though  short  and  easily 
managed,  its  advantages  were  even  in  that  early  day  begin- 
ning to  be  appreciated,  and  the  largest  ships  were  thought 
to  be  unusually  well  provided  with  the  means  of  offence, 
when  they  carried  two  or  three  cannon  of  this  formidable  in- 
vention among  their  armament.  At  a  later  day,  this  weapon 
has  been  improved  and  altered,  until  its  use  has  become  gen- 
eral in  vessels  of  a  certain  size,  taking  its  appellation  from 
the  Carron,  on  the  banks  of  which  river  it  was  first  moulded. 
In  place  of  these  carronades,  six  light  brass  cannon  were 
firmly  lashed  to  the  bulwarks  of  the  Ariel,  their  brazen 
throats  blackened  by  the  sea-water,  which  so  often  broke 
harmlessly  over  these  engines  of  destruction.  In  the  centre 
of  the  vessel,  between  her  two  masts,  a  gun  of  the  same 
metal,  but  of  nearly  twice  the  length  of  the  other,  was 
mounted  on  a  carriage  of  new  and  singular  construction, 
which  admitted  of  its  being  turned  in  any  direction,  so  as  to 


86 


XTbe  pilot 


be  of  service  in  most  of  the  emergencies  that  occur  in  naval 
warfare. 

The  eye  of  the  Pilot  examined  this  armament  closely,  and 
then  turned  to  the  well-ordered  decks,  the  neat  and  compact 
rigging,  and  the  hardy  faces  of  th^  fine  young  crew,  with 
manifest  satisfaction.  Contrary  to  what  had  been  his  prac- 
tice during  the  short  time  he  had  been  with  them,  he  uttered 
his  gratification  freely  and  aloud. 

You  have  a  tight  boat,  Mr.  Barnstable,"  he  said,  "and 
a  gallant-looking  crew.  You  promise  good  service,  sir,  in 
time  of  need,  and  that  hour  may  not  be  far  distant. ' ' 

* '  The  sooner  the  better, ' '  returned  the  reckless  sailor ;  *  *  I 
have  not  had  an  opportunity  of  scaling  my  guns  since  we 
quitted  Brest,  though  we  passed  several  of  the  enemy's  cut- 
ters coming  up  channel,  with  whom  our  bull-dogs  longed  for 
a  conversation.  Mr.  Grifiith  will  tell  you.  Pilot,  that  my 
little  sixes  can  speak,  on  occasion,  with  a  voice  nearly  as 
loud  as  the  frigate's  eighteens." 

But  not  to  as  much  purpose,"  observed  Grifiith  ;  "  *  Vox 
et  praeterea  nihil,'  as  we  said  at  the  school." 

"  I  know  nothing  of  your  Greek  and  Latin,  Mr.  Grifl&th," 
retorted  the  commander  of  the  Ariel ;  '  *  but  if  you  mean  that 
those  seven  brass  playthings  won't  throw  a  round-shot  as 
far  as  any  gun  of  their  size  and  height  above  the  water,  or 
won't  scatter  grape  and  canister  with  any  blunderbuss  in 
your  ship,  you  may  possibly  find  an  opportunity  that  will 
convince  you  to  the  contrary,  before  we  part  company." 

They  promise  well,"  said  the  Pilot,  who  was  evidently 
ignorant  of  the  good  understanding  that  existed  between  the 
two  officers,  and  wished  to  conciliate  all  under  his  directions  ; 
"  and  I  doubt  not  they  will  argue  the  leading  points  of  a 
combat  with  good  discretion.  I  see  that  you  have  christened 
them — I  suppose  for  their  respective  merits.  They  are  in- 
deed expressive  names  !  ' ' 

" 'T  is  the  freak  of  an  idle  moment,"  said  Barnstable, 
laughing,  as  he  glanced  his  eyes  to  the  cannon,  above 
which  were  painted  the  several  quaint  names  of  "  Boxer," 
* '  Plumper, "  "  Grinder, "  "  Scatterer, "  ' '  Exterminator/' 
and  "Nail-Driver." 


XTbe  pilot 


87 


*'  Why  have  you  thrown  the  mid-ship  gun  without  the 
pale  of  your  baptism  ? ' '  asked  the  Pilot ;  "  or  do  you  know 
it  by  the  usual  title  of  the  '  Old  Woman  '  ?  " 

"  No,  no ;  I  have  no  such  petticoat  terms  on  board  me," 
cried  the  other  ;  ''but  move  more  to  starboard,  and  you  will 
see  its  style  painted  on  the  cheeks  of  the  carriage  ;  it 's  a 
name  that  need  not  cause  them  to  blush  either." 

"  'Tis  a  singular  epithet,  though  not  without  some  mean- 
ing !  " 

*'  It  has  more  than  you,  perhaps,  dream  of,  sir.  That 
worthy  seaman  whom  you  see  leaning  against  the  foremast, 
and  who  would  serve,  on  occasion,  for  a  spare  spar  himself, 
is  the  captain  of  that  gun,  and  more  than  once  has  decided 
some  warm  disputes  with  John  Bull,  by  the  manner  in 
which  he  has  wielded  it.  No  marine  can  trail  his  musket 
more  easily  than  my  cockswain  can  train  his  nine-pounder 
on  an  object ;  and  thus  from  their  connection,  and  some 
resemblance  there  is  between  them  in  length,  it  has  got  the 
name  which  you  perceive  it  carries — that  of  '  lyong  Tom.'  " 

The  Pilot  smiled  as  he  listened,  but  turning  away  from 
the  speaker,  the  deep  reflection  that  crossed  his  brow  but 
too  plainly  showed  that  he  trifled  only  from  momentary 
indulgence  ;  and  Griffith  intimated  to  Barnstable,  that  as 
the  gale  was  sensibly  abating,  they  would  pursue  the  object 
of  their  destination. 

Thus  recalled  to  his  duty,  the  commander  of  the  schooner 
forgot  the  delightful  theme  of  expatiating  on  the  merits  of 
his  vessel,  and  issued  the  necessary  orders  to  direct  their 
movements.  The  little  schooner  slowly  obeyed  the  impulse 
of  her  helm,  and  fell  ofi"  before  the  wind,  when  the  folds  of 
her  square  sail,  though  limited  by  a  prudent  reef,  were 
opened  to  the  blasts,  and  she  shot  away  from  her  consort, 
like  a  meteor  dancing  across  the  waves.  The  black  mass  of 
the  frigate's  hull  soon  sunk  in  distance ;  and  long  before 
the  sun  had  fallen  below  the  hills  of  England,  her  tall  masts 
were  barely  distinguishable  by  the  small  cloud  of  sail  that 
held  the  vessel  to  her  station.  As  the  ship  disappeared, 
the  land  seemed  to  issue  out  of  the  bosom  of  the  deep  ;  and 
so  rapid  was  their  progress,  that  the  dwellings  of  the 


88 


XTbe  pilot 


gentry,  the  humble  cottages,  and  even  the  dim  lines  of  the 
hedges,  became  gradually  more  distinct  to  the  eyes  of  the 
bold  mariners,  until  they  were  beset  with  the  gloom  of  eve- 
ning, when  the  whole  scene  faded  from  their  view  in  the 
darkness  of  the  hour,  leaving  only  the  faint  outline  of  the 
land  visible  in  the  tract  before  thetn,  and  the  sullen  billows 
of  the  ocean  raging  with  appalling  violence  in  the  rear. 

Still  the  little  Ariel  held  on  her  way,  skimming  the  ocean 
like  a  water-fowl  seeking  its  place  of  nightly  rest,  and 
shooting  in  towards  the  land  as  fearlessly  as  if  the  dangers 
of  the  preceding  night  were  already  forgotten.  No  shoals 
or  rocks  appeared  to  arrest  her  course,  and  we  must  leave 
her  gliding  into  the  dark  streak  that  was  thrown  from  the 
high  and  rocky  cliffs,  that  lined  a  basin  of  bold  entrance, 
where  the  mariners  often  sought  and  found  a  refuge  from 
the  dangers  of  the  German  Ocean. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


**  Sirrah,  how  dare  you  leave  your  barley-broth, 
To  come  in  armor  thus,  against  your  king  ? " 

Drama. 

THE  large  irregular  building  inhabited  by  Colonel 
Howard  well  deserved  the  name  it  had  received 
from  the  pen  of  Katherine  Plowden.  Notwith- 
standing the  confusion  in  its  orders,  owing  to  the 
different  ages  in  which  its  several  parts  had  been  erected,  the 
interior  was  not  wanting  in  that  appearance  of  comfort 
which  forms  the  great  characteristic  of  English  domestic 
life.  Its  dark  and  intricate  mazes  of  halls,  galleries,  and 
apartments  were  all  well  provided  with  good  and  substantial 
ftrrniture ;  and  whatever  might  have  been  the  purposes  of 
their  original  construction,  they  were  now  peacefully  appro- 
priated to  the  service  of  a  quiet  and  well-ordered  family. 

There  were  divers  portentous  traditions  of  cruel  sepa- 
rations and  blighted  loves,  which  always  linger,  like  cob- 
webs, around  the  walls  of  old  houses,  to  be  heard  here  also, 
and  which,  doubtless,  in  abler  hands,  might  easily  have 
been  wrought  up  into  scenes  of  high  interest  and  delectable 
pathos.  But  our  humbler  efforts  must  be  limited  by  an 
attempt  to  describe  man  as  God  has  made  him,  vulgar  and 
unseemly  as  he  may  appear  to  sublimated  faculties,  to  the 
possessors  of  which  enviable  qualifications  we  desire  to  say, 
at  once,  that  we  are  determined  to  eschew  all  things  super- 
naturally  refined,  as  we  would  the  devil.  To  all  those, 
then,  who  are  tired  of  the  company  of  their  species,  we 
would  bluntly  insinuate  that  the  sooner  they  throw  aside 
our  pages,  and  seize  upon  those  of  some  more  !iighly  gifted 


90 


Ubc  pilot 


bard,  the  sooner  they  will  be  in  the  way  of  quitting  earth, 
if  not  of  attaining  heaven.  Our  business  is  solely  to  treat 
of  man,  and  this  fair  scene  on  which  he  acts,  and  that  not 
in  his  subtleties,  and  metaphysical  contradictions,  but  in  his 
palpable  nature,  that  all  may  understand  our  meaning  as 
well  as  ourselves — whereby  we  manifestly  reject  the  pro- 
digious advantage  of  being  thought  a  genius,  by  perhaps 
foolishly  refusing  the  mighty  aid  of  incomprehensibility  to 
establish  such  a  character. 

I^eaving  the  gloomy  shadows  of  the  cliffs,  under  which 
the  little  Ariel  has  been  seen  to  steer,  and  the  sullen  roaring 
of  the  surf  along  the  margin  of  the  ocean,  we  shall  endeavor 
to  transport  the  reader  to  the  dining-parlor  of  St.  Ruth's 
Abbey,  taking  the  evening  of  the  same  day  as  the  time  for 
introducing  another  collection  of  those  personages,  whose 
acts  and  characters  it  has  become  our  duty  to  describe. 

The  room  was  not  of  very  large  dimensions,  and  every 
part  was  glittering  with  the  collected  light  of  half  a  dozen 
candles,  aided  by  the  fierce  rays  that  glanced  from  the  grate, 
which  held  a  most  cheerful  fire  of  sea-coal.  The  mouldings 
of  the  dark  oak  wainscoting  threw  back  upon  the  massive 
table  of  mahogany  streaks  of  strong  light,  which  played 
among  the  rich  fluids  that  were  sparkling  on  the  board,  in 
mimic  haloes.  The  outline  of  this  picture  of  comfort  was 
formed  by  damask  curtains  of  a  deep  red,  and  enormous  oak 
chairs  with  leathern  backs  and  cushioned  seats,  as  if  the 
apartment  were  hermetically  sealed  against  the  world  and 
its  chilling  cares. 

Around  the  table,  which  still  stood  in  the  centre  of  the 
floor,  were  seated  three  gentlemen,  in  the  easy  enjoyment 
of  their  daily  repast.  The  cloth  had  been  drawn,  and  the 
bottle  was  slowly  passing  among  them,  as  if  those  who  par- 
took of  its  bounty  well  knew  that  neither  the  time  nor  the 
opportunity  would  be  wanting  for  their  deliberate  indulgence 
in  its  pleasures. 

At  one  end  of  the  table  an  elderly  man  was  seated,  who 
performed  whatever  little  acts  of  courtesy  the  duties  of  a 
host  would  appear  to  render  necessary,  in  a  company  where 
all  seemed  to  be  equally  at  their  ease  and  at  home.  This 


xrbe  pilot 


91 


gentleman  was  in  the  decline  of  life,  though  his  erect  car- 
riage, quick  movements,  and  steady  hand,  equally  denoted 
that  it  was  an  old  age  free  from  the  usual  infirmities.  In 
his  dress,  he  belonged  to  that  class  whose  members  always 
follow  the  fashions  of  the  age  anterior  to  the  one  in  which 
they  live,  whether  from  disinclination  to  sudden  changes  of 
any  kind,  or  from  the  recollections  of  a  period  which,  with 
them,  has  been  hallowed  by  scenes  and  feelings  that  the 
chilling  evening  of  life  can  neither  revive  nor  equal.  Age 
might  possibly  have  thrown  its  blighting  frosts  on  his  thin 
locks,  but  art  had  labored  to  conceal  the  ravages  with  the 
nicest  care.  An  accurate  outline  of  powder  covered  not 
only  the  parts  where  the  hair  actually  remained,  but  wher- 
ever nature  had  prescribed  that  hair  should  grow.  His 
countenance  was  strongly  marked  in  features,  if  not  in  ex- 
pression, exhibiting,  on  the  whole,  a  look  of  noble  integrity 
and  high  honor,  which  was  a  good  deal  aided  in  its  effect 
by  the  lofty  receding  forehead,  that  rose  like  a  monument 
above  the  whole,  to  record  the  character  of  the  aged  veteran. 
A  few  streaks  of  branching  red  mingled  with  a  swarthiness 
of  complexion,  that  was  rendered  more  conspicuous  by  the 
outline  of  unsullied  white,  which  nearly  surrounded  his 
prominent  features. 

Opposite  to  the  host,  who  it  will  at  once  be  understood 
was  Colonel  Howard,  was  the  thin  yellow  visage  of  Mr. 
Christopher  Dillon,  that  bane  to  the  happiness  of  her  cousin, 
already  mentioned  by  Miss  Plowden. 

Between  these  two  gentlemen  was  a  middle-aged,  hard- 
featured  man,  attired  in  the  livery  of  King  George,  whose 
countenance  emulated  the  scarlet  of  his  coat,  and  whose 
principal  employment,  at  the  moment,  appeared  to  consist 
in  doing  honor  to  the  cheer  of  his  entertainer. 

Occasionall}^  a  servant  entered  or  left  the  room  in  silence, 
giving  admission,  however,  through  the  open  door,  to  the 
rushing  sounds  of  the  gale,  as  the  wind  murmured  amid  the 
angles  and  high  chimneys  of  the  edifice. 

A  man  in  the  dress  of  a  rustic  was  standing  near  the 
chair  of  Colonel  Howard,  between  whom  and  the  master  of 
the  mansion  a  dialogue  had  been  maintained  which  closed 


92 


Ube  pilot 


as  follows.  The  colonel  was  the  first  to  speak,  after  the 
curtain  is  drawn  from  between  the  eyes  of  the  reader  and 
the  scene. 

"Said  you,  farmer,  that  the  Scotchman  beheld  the  vessels 
with  his  own  eyes  ?  ' ' 

The  answer  was  a  simple  negative. 

"Well,  well,"  continued  the  colonel,  "you  can  with- 
draw. ' ' 

The  man  made  a  rude  attempt  at  a  bow,  which  being  re- 
turned by  the  old  soldier  with  formal  grace,  he  left  the  room. 
The  host,  turning  to  his  companions,  resumed  the  subject. 

*  *  If  those  rash  boys  have  really  persuaded  the  silly  dotard 
who  commands  the  frigate,  to  trust  himself  within  the  shoals 
on  the  eve  of  such  a  gale  as  this,  their  case  must  have  been 
hopeless  indeed  !  Thus  may  rebellion  and  disaffection  ever 
meet  with  the  just  indignation  of  Providence  !  It  would 
not  surprise  me,  gentlemen,  to  hear  that  my  native  land  had 
been  engulfed  by  earthquakes,  or  swallowed  by  the  ocean, 
so  awful  and  inexcusable  has  been  the  weight  of  her  trans- 
gressions !  And  yet  it  was  a  proud  and  daring  boy  who  held 
the  second  station  in  that  ship  !  I  knew  his  father  well, 
and  a  gallant  gentleman  he  was,  who,  like  m}^  own  brother, 
the  parent  of  Cecilia,  preferred  to  serve  his  master  on  the 
ocean  rather  than  on  the  land.  His  son  inherited  the  bravery 
of  his  high  spirit,  without  its  loyalty.  One  would  not  wish 
to  have  such  a  youth  drowned,  either." 

This  speech,  which  partook  much  of  the  nature  of  a 
soliloquy,  especially  towards  its  close,  called  for  no  immedi- 
ate reply  ;  but  the  soldier,  having  held  his  glass  to  the  can- 
dle, to  admire  the  rosy  hue  of  its  contents,  and  then  sipped 
of  the  fluid  so  often  that  nothing  but  a  clear  light  remained 
to  gaze  at,  quietly  replaced  the  empty  vessel  on  the  table, 
and,  as  he  extended  an  arm  towards  the  blushing  bottle,  he 
spoke,  in  the  careless  tones  of  one  whose  thoughts  were 
dwelling  on  another  theme  : — 

"  Ay,  true  enough,  sir  ;  good  rven  are  scarce,  and,  as  you 
say,  one  cannot  but  mourn  his  fate,  though  his  death  be 
glorious ;  quite  a  loss  to  his  majesty's  service,  I  dare  say, 
it  will  prove. ' ' 


Ube  pilot 


93 


A  loss  to  the  service  of^his  majesty  !  "  echoed  the  host, 
"  his  death  glorious  !  No,yCaptain  BorroughclifFe,  the  death 
of  no  rebel  can  be  glorious  "pancThow  he  can  be  a  loss  to  his 
majesty's  service,  I  am  myself  quite  at  loss  to  understand." 

The  soldier,  whose  ideas  were  in  that  happy  state  of  con- 
fusion that  renders  it  difficult  to  command  the  one  most 
needed,  but  who  still,  from  long  discipline,  had  them  under 
a  wonderful  control  for  the  disorder  of  his  brain,  answered, 
with  great  promptitude, — 

' '  I  mean  the  loss  of  his  example,  sir.    It  would  have  been 
so  appalling  to  others  to  have  seen  the  young  man  executed 
instead  of  shot  in  battle." 
He  is  drowned,  sir." 

' '  Ah  !  that  is  the  next  thing  to  being  hanged ;  that  cir- 
cumstance had  escaped  me. ' ' 

"  It  is  by  no  means  certain,  sir,  that  the  ship  and  schooner 
that  the  drover  saw  are  the  vessels  you  take  them  to  have 
been,"  said  Mr.  Dillon,  in  a  harsh,  drawling  tone  of  voice. 
'  *  I  should  doubt  their  daring  to  venture  so  openly  on  the 
coast,  and  in  the  direct  track  of  our  vessels  of  war. ' ' 

"These  people  are  our  countrymen,  Christopher,  though 
they  are  rebels, ' '  exclaimed  the  colonel.  * '  They  are  a  hardy 
and  brave  nation.  When  I  had  the  honor  to  serve  his  maj- 
esty, some  twenty  years  since,  it  was  my  fortune  to  face  the 
enemies  of  my  king  in  a  few  small  affairs,  Captain  Borrough- 
cliffe  ;  such  as  the  siege  of  Quebec,  and  the  battle  before  its 
gates,  a  trifling  occasion  at  Ticonderoga,  and  that  unfortun- 
ate catastrophe  of  General  Braddock — with  a  few  others.  I 
must  say,  sir,  in  favor  of  the  colonists,  that  they  pla3^ed  a 
manful  game  on  the  latter  day  ;  and  this  gentleman  who 
now  heads  the  rebels  sustained  a  gallant  name  among  us  for 
his  conduct  in  that  disastrous  business.  He  was  a  discreet, 
well-behaved  young  man,  and  quite  a  gentleman.  I  have 
never  denied  that  Mr.  Washington  was  very  much  of  a 
gentleman." 

' '  Yes  !  ' '  said  the  soldier,  yawning,  ' '  he  was  educated 
among  his  majesty's  troops,  and  he  could  hardly  be  other- 
wise. But  I  am  quite  melancholy  about  this  unfortunate 
drowning,  Colonel  Howard.    Here  will  be  an  end  of  my  vo- 


94 


xrbe  pilot 


cation,  I  suppose  ;  and  I  am  far  from  denying  that  youl 
hospitality  has  made  these  quarters  most  agreeable  to  me." 

"Then,  sir,  the  obligation  is  only  mutual,"  returned  the 
host,  with  a  polite  inclination  of  his  head  :  '  *  but  gentlemen 
who,  like  ourselves,  have  been  made  free  of  the  camp,  need 
not  bandy  idle  compliments  about  such  trifles.  If  it  were 
my  kinsman  Dillon,  now,  whose  thoughts  run  more  on  '  Coke 
upon  lyittleton  '  than  on  the  gayeties  of  a  mess-table  and  a 
soldier's  life,  he  might  think  such  formalities  as  necessary 
as  his  hard  words  are  to  a  deed.  Come,  Borroughclifie,  my 
dear  fellow,  I  believe  we  have  given  an  honest  glass  to  each 
of  the  royal  family  (God  bless  them  all  !)  ;  let  us  swallow  a 
bumper  to  the  memory  of  the  immortal  Wolfe. ' ' 

An  honest  proposal,  my  gallant  host,  and  such  a  one  as 
a  soldier  will  never  decline,"  returned  the  captain,  who 
roused  himself  with  the  occasion.  "God  bless  them  all  ! 
say  I,  in  echo  ;  and  if  this  gracious  queen  of  ours  ends  as 
famously  as  she  has  begun,  't  will  be  such  a  family  of  princes 
as  no  other  army  of  Europe  can  brag  of  around  a  mess-table. ' ' 

"  Ay,  ay,  there  is  some  consolation  in  that  thought,  in  the 
midst  of  this  dire  rebellion  of  my  countrymen.  But  I'll  vex 
myself  no  more  with  the  unpleasant  recollections  ;  the  arms 
of  my  sovereign  will  soon  purge  that  wicked  land  of  the  foul 
stain." 

"Of  that  there  can  be  no  doubt,"  said  Borroughclifie, 
whose  thoughts  still  continued  a  little  obscured  by  the  spark- 
ling Madeira  that  had  long  lain  ripening  under  a  Carolinian 
sun  ;  "  these  Yankees  before  his  majesty's  regulars,  like 
so  many  dirty  clowns  in  a  lyondon  mob  before  a  charge  of  the 
horse-guards. ' ' 

"Pardon  me,  Captain  Borroughclifie,"  said  his  host,  ele- 
vating his  person  to  more  than  its  usually  erect  attitude  ; 
' '  they  may  be  misguided,  deluded,  and  betrayed,  but  the  com- 
parison is  unjust.  Give  them  arms  and  give  them  discipline, 
and  he  who  gets  an  inch  of  their  land  from  them,  plentiful 
as  it  is,  will  find  a  bloody  day  on  which  to  take  possession." 

* '  The  veriest  coward  in  Christendom  would  fight  in  a 
country  where  wine  brews  itself  into  such  a  cordial  as  this," 
returned  the  cool  soldier.    "  I  am  a  living  proof  that  you 


XTbe  pilot 


95 


mistook  my  meaning  ;  for  had  not  those  loose-flapped  gentle- 
men they  call  Vermontese  and  Hampshire-granters  (God 
grant  them  his  blessing  for  the  deed  !)  finished  two  thirds 
of  my  company,  I  should  not  have  been  at  this  day  under 
your  roof,  a  recruiting  instead  of  a  marching  officer  ;  neither 
should  I  have  been  bound  up  in  a  covenant,  like  the  law  of 
Moses,  could  Burgoyne  have  made  head  against  their  long- 
legged  marchings  and  counter-marchings.  Sir,  I  drink  their 
healths,  with  all  my  heart ;  and  with  a  bottle  of  golden  sun- 
shine before  me,  rather  than  displease  so  good  a  friend,  I 
will  go  through  Gates'  whole  army,  regiment  by  regiment, 
company  by  company,  or,  if  you  insist  on  the  same,  even 
man  by  man,  in  a  bumper." 

' '  On  no  account  would  I  tax  your  politeness  so  far, ' ' 
returned  the  colonel,  abundantly  mollified  by  this  ample  con- 
cession ;  '  *  I  stand  too  much  your  debtor.  Captain  Borrough- 
clifife,  for  so  freely  volunteering  to  defend  my  house  against 
the  attacks  of  my  piratical,  rebellious,  and  misguided  coun- 
trymen, to  think  of  requiring  such  a  concession." 

' '  Harder  duty  might  be  performed,  and  no  favors  asked, 
my  respectable  host,"  returned  the  soldier.  Country 
quarters  are  apt  to  be  dull,  and  the  liquor  is  commonly  exe- 
crable ;  but  in  such  a  dwelling  as  this,  a  man  can  rock  him- 
self in  the  very  cradle  of  contentment.  And  yet  there  is  one 
subject  of  complaint,  that  I  should  disgrace  my  regiment  did 
I  not  speak  of — for  it  is  incumbent  on  me,  both  as  a  man  and 
a  soldier,  to  be  no  longer  silent. ' ' 

* '  Name  it,  sir,  freely,  and  its  cause  shall  be  as  freely  re- 
dressed, ' '  said  the  host  in  some  amazement. 

Here  we  three  sit,  from  morning  to  night,"  continued 
the  soldier ;  "  bachelors  all,  well  provisioned  and  better  liq- 
uored, I  grant  you,  but  like  so  many  well-fed  anchorites, 
while  two  of  the  loveliest  damsels  in  the  island  pine  in  soli- 
tude within  a  hundred  feet  of  us,  without  tasting  the  homage 
of  our  sighs.  This,  I  will  maintain,  is  a  reproach  both  to 
your  character,  Colonel  Howard,  as  an  old  soldier,  and  to 
mine  as  a  young  one.  As  to  our  old  friend  Coke  on  top 
of  I^ittleton  here,  I  leave  him  to  the  quiddities  of  the  law 
to  plead  his  own  cause." 


96 


TTbe  ipilot 


The  brow  of  the  host  contracted  for  a  moment,  and  the 
sallow  cheek  of  Dillon,  who  had  sat  during  the  dialogue  in 
a  sullen  silence,  appeared  to  grow  even  livid  ;  but  gradually 
the  open  brow  of  the  veteran  resumed  its  frank  expression, 
and  the  lips  of  the  other  relaxed  into  a  Jesuitical  sort  of  a 
smile,  that  was  totally  disregarded  by  the  captain,  who 
amused  himself  with  sipping  his  wine  while  he  waited  for 
an  answer,  as  if  he  analyzed  each  drop  that  crossed  his 
palate. 

After  an  embarrassing  pause  for  a  moment.  Colonel  How- 
ard broke  the  silence. 

"There  is  reason  in  Borroughcliffe's  hint,  for  such  I  take 
it  to  be— " 

I  meant  it  for  a  plain,  matter-of-fact  complaint,"  inter- 
rupted the  soldier. 

"  And  you  have  cause  for  it,"  continued  the  colcnel.  "  It 
is  unreasonable,  Christopher,  that  the  ladies  should  allow 
their  dread  of  these  piratical  countrymen  of  ours  to  exclude 
us  from  their  society,  though  prudence  may  require  that 
they  remain  secluded  in  their  apartments.  We  owe  the  re- 
spect to  Captain  Borroughcliffe,  that  at  least  we  admit  him 
to  the  sight  of  the  coffee-urn  in  an  evening. ' ' 

* '  That  is  precisely  my  meaning, ' '  said  the  captain  :  "as 
for  dining  with  them,  why,  I  am  well  provided  for  here  ;  but 
there  is  no  one  knows  how  to  set  hot  water  a  hissing  in  so 
professional  a  manner  as  a  woman.  So  forward,  my  dear 
and  honored  colonel,  and  lay  your  injunctions  on  them,  that 
they  command  your  humble  servant  and  Mr.  Coke  unto  lyit- 
tleton  to  advance  and  give  the  countersign  of  gallantry. ' ' 

Dillon  contracted  his  disagreeable  features  into  something 
that  was  intended  for  a  satirical  smile,  before  he  spoke  as 
follows  : — 

' '  Both  the  veteran  Colonel  Howard  and  the  gallant  Cap- 
tain Borroughcliffe  may  find  it  easier  to  overcome  the  ene- 
mies of  his  majesty  in  the  field  than  to  shake  a  woman's 
caprice.  Not  a  day  has  passed  these  three  weeks,  that  I 
have  not  sent  my  inquiries  to  the  door  of  Miss  Howard,  as 
became  her  father's  kinsman,  with  a  wish  to  appease  her  ap- 
prehensions of  the  pirates  ;  but  little  has  she  deigned  me  in 


XTbe  pilot 


97 


reply,  more  than  such  thanks  as  her  sex  and  breeding  could 
not  well  dispense  with." 

"Well,  you  have  been  as  fortunate  as  myself,  and  why 
you  should  be  more  so,  I  see  no  reason,"  cried  the  soldier, 
throwing  a  glance  of  cool  contempt  at  the  other  ;  ' '  feaf 
whitens  the  cheek,  and  ladies  best  love  to  be  seen  when  the 
roses  flourish  rather  than  the  lilies. ' ' 

' '  A  woman  is  never  so  interesting,  Captain  Borrough- 
clifife, ' '  said  the  gallant  host,  ' '  as  when  she  appears  to  lean 
on  man  for  support ;  and  he  who  does  not  feel  himself 
honored  by  the  trust,  is  a  disgrace  to  his  species." 

* '  Bravo  !  my  honored  sir,  a  worthy  sentiment,  and  spoken 
like  a  true  soldier  ;  but  I  have  heard  much  of  the  loveliness 
of  the  ladies  of  the  Abbey  since  I  have  been  in  my  present 
quarters,  and  I  feel  a  strong  desire  to  witness  beauty  en- 
circled by  such  loyalty  as  could  induce  them  to  flee  their 
native  country,  rather  than  to  devote  their  charms  to  the 
rude  keeping  of  the  rebels."  The  colonel  looked  grave, 
and  for  a  moment  fierce  ;  but  the  expression  of  his  dis- 
pleasure soon  passed  away  in  a  smile  of  forced  gayety,  and, 
as  he  cheerfully  rose  from  his  seat,  he  cried, — 

"  You  shall  be  admitted  this  very  night,  and  this  instant, 
Captain  Borroughcliffe.  We  owe  it,  sir,  to  your  services 
here,  as  well  as  in  the  field,  and  those  froward  girls  shall  be 
humored  no  longer.  Nay,  it  is  nearly  two  weeks  since  I 
have  seen  my  ward  myself ;  nor  have  I  laid  my  eyes  on  my 
niece  but  twice  in  all  that  time.  Christopher,  I  leave  the 
captain  under  your  good  care  while  I  go  seek  admission 
into  the  cloisters  ;  we  call  that  part  of  the  building  the 
cloisters,  because  it  holds  our  nuns,  sir  !  You  will  pardon 
my  early  absence  from  the  table,  Captain  Borroughcliffe." 

' '  I  beg  it  may  not  be  mentioned  ;  you  leave  an  excellent 
representative  behind  you,  sir, ' '  cried  the  soldier,  taking  in 
the  lank  figure  of  Mr.  Dillon  in  a  sweeping  glance,  that 
terminated  with  a  settled  gaze  on  his  decanter.  ' '  Make  my 
devoirs  to  the  recluses,  and  say  all  that  your  own  excellent 
wit  shall  suggest  as  an  apology  for  my  impatience.  Mr. 
Dillon,  I  meet  you  in  «  bumper  to  their  healths  and  in 
their  honor." 


98 


ubc  mot 


The  challenge  was  coldly  accepted  ;  and  while  these 
gentlemen  still  held  their  glasses  to  their  lips,  Colonel 
Howard  left  the  apartment,  bowing  low,  and  uttering  a 
thousand  excuses  to  his  guest,  as  he  proceeded,  and  even 
offering  a  very  unnecessary  apology  of  the  same  effect  to 
his  habitual  inmate,  Mr.  Dillon. 

' '  Is  fear  so  very  powerful  within  these  old  walls, ' '  said 
the  soldier,  when  the  door  closed  behind  their  host,  ' '  that 
your  ladies  deem  it  necessary  to  conceal  themselves  before 
even  an  enemy  is  known  to  have  landed  ?  ' ' 

Dillon  coldly  replied, — 

"  The  name  of  Paul  Jones  is  terrific  to  all  on  this  coast, 
I  believe  ;  nor  are  the  ladies  of  St.  Ruth  singular  in  their 
apprehensions. ' ' 

' '  Ah  !  the  pirate  has  bought  himself  a  desperate  name 
since  the  affair  of  Flamborough  Head.  But  let  him  look 
to  't,  if  he  trusts  himself  in  another  Whitehaven  expedition, 

while  there  is  a  detachment  of  the  th  in  the  neighborhood, 

though  the  men  should  be  nothing  better  than  recruits. ' ' 

' '  Our  last  accounts  leave  him  safe  in  the  court  of  Louis, ' ' 
returned  his  companion  ;  ' '  but  there  are  men  as  desperate 
as  himself,  who  sail  the  ocean  under  the  rebel  flag,  and  from 
one  or  two  of  them  we  have  had  much  reason  to  apprehend 
the  vengeance  of  disappointed  men.  It  is  they  that  we 
hope  are  lost  in  this  gale. ' ' 

' '  Hum  !  I  hope  they  were  dastards,  or  your  hopes  are  a 
little  unchristian,  and — " 

He  would  have  proceeded,  but  the  door  opened,  and  his 
orderly  entered,  and  announced  that  a  sentinel  had  detained 
three  men,  who  were  passing  along  the  highway,  near  the 
Abbey,  and  who,  by  their  dress,  appeared  to  be  seamen. 

"Well,  let  them  pass,"  cried  the  captain  ;  what,  have 
we  nothing  to  do  better  than  to  stop  passengers,  like  foot- 
pads on  the  king's  highway  !  Give  them  of  your  canteens, 
and  let  the  rascals  pass.  Your  orders  were  to  give  the 
alarm  if  any  hostile  party  landed  on  the  coast,  not  to  detain 
peaceable  subjects  on  their  lawful  business." 

"I  beg  your  honor's  pardon,"  returned  the  sergeant, 
"  but  these  men  seemed  lurking  about  the  grounds  for  no 


TLDc  pilot 


99 


good,  and  as  they  kept  carefully  aloof  from  the  place  where 
our  sentinel  was  posted,  until  to-night,  Downing  thought  it 
looked  suspiciously,  and  detained  them." 

* '  Downing  is  a  fool,  and  it  may  go  hard  with  him  for  his 
officiousness.    What  have  you  done  with  the  men  ?  " 

"  I  took  them  to  the  guard-room  in  the  east  wing,  your 
honor. ' ' 

' '  Then  feed  them  ;  and  harkye,  sirrah  !  liquor  them  well, 
that  we  hear  no  complaints,  and  let  them  go. ' ' 

' '  Yes,  sir,  yes  ;  your  honor  shall  be  obeyed  ;  but  there  is 
a  straight,  soldierly-looking  fellow  among  them,  that  I  think 
might  be  persuaded  to  enlist,  if  he  were  detained  till  morn^ 
ing.     I  doubt,  sir,  by  his  walk,  but  he  has  served  already." 

"Ha!  what  say  you!"  cried  the  captain,  pricking  up 
his  ears  like  a  hound  who  hears  a  well-known  cry,  ' '  served, 
think  ye,  already  ?  " 

"There  are  signs  about  him,  your  honor,  to  that  effect. 
An  old  soldier  is  seldom  deceived  in  such  a  thing  ;  and  con- 
sidering his  disguise,  for  it  can  be  no  other,  and  the  place 
where  we  took  him,  there  is  no  danger  of  a  have-us  corpses 
until  he  is  tied  to  us  by  the  laws  of  the  kingdom." 

"Peace,  you  knave!"  said  Borroughcliffe,  rising,  and 
making  ^a  devious  route  towards  the  door  ;  "  you  speak  in 
the  presence  of  my  lyord  Chief  Justice  that  is  to  be,  and 
should  not  talk  lightly  of  the  laws.  But  still  you  say  rea- 
son give  me  your  arm,  sergeant,  and  lead  the  way  to  the 
east  wing  ;  my  eyesight  is  good  for  nothing  in  such  a  dark 
night.  A  soldier  should  always  visit  his  guard  before  the 
tattoo  beats." 

After  emulating  the  courtesy  of  their  host.  Captain  Bor- 
roughcliffe retired  on  this  patriotic  errand,  leaning  on  his 
subordinate  in  a  style  of  most  familiar  condescension.  Dil- 
lon continued  at  the  table,  endeavoring  to  express  the  ran- 
corous feelings  of  his  breast  by  a  satirical  smile  of  contempt, 
that  was  necessarily  lost  on  all  but  himself,  as  a  large  mir- 
ror threw  back  the  image  of  his  morose  and  unpleasant 
features. 

But  we  must  precede  the  veteran  colonel  in  his  visit  to 
the  "cloisters.'* 


CHAPTER  X. 


"  And  kindness  like  their  own 
Inspired  those  eyes,  affectionate  and  glad, 
That  seemed  to  love  whate'er  they  looked  upon  ; 
Whether  with  Hebe's  mirth  her  features  shone, 
Or,  if  a  shade  more  pleasing  them  o'ercast — 
Yet  so  becomingly  th'  expression  past, 
That  each  succeeding  look  was  lovelier  than  the  last." 

Gertrude  of  Wyoming. 

THE  western  wing  of  St.  Ruth  House,  or  Abbey,  as 
the  building  was  indiscriminately  called,  retained 
but  few  vestiges  of  the  uses  to  which  it  had  been 
originally  devoted.  The  upper  apartments  were 
small  and  numerous,  extending  on  either  side  of  a  long, 
low,  and  dark  gallery,  and  might  have  been  the  dormitories 
of  the  sisterhood  who  were  said  to  have  once  inhabited  that 
portion  of  the  edifice  ;  but  the  ground-floor  had  been  mod- 
ernized, as  it  was  then  called,  about  a  century  before,  and 
retained  just  enough  of  its  ancient  character  to  blend  the 
venerable  with  what  was  thought  comfortable  in  the  com- 
mencement of  the  reign  of  the  third  George.  As  this  wing 
had  been  appropriated  to  the  mistress  of  the  mansion,  ever 
since  the  building  had  changed  its  spiritual  character  for  one 
of  a  more  carnal  nature,  Colonel  Howard  continued  the  ar- 
rangement, when  he  became  the  temporary  possessor  of  St. 
Ruth,  until,  in  the  course  of  events,  the  apartments  which 
had  been  appropriated  for  the  accommodation  and  conven- 
ience of  his  niece  were  eventually  converted  into  her  prison. 
But  as  the  severity  of  the  old  veteran  was  as  often  marked 
by  an  exhibition  of  his  virtues  as  of  his  foibles,  the  confine- 
ment and  his  displeasure  constituted  the  sole  subjects  of 


XTbe  pilot 


lOI 


complaint  that  were  given  to  the  young  lady.    That  our 

readers  may  be  better  qualified  to  judge  of  the  nature  of 
their  imprisonment,  we  shall  transport  them,  without  further 
circumlocution,  into  the  presence  of  the  two  females,  whom 
they  must  be  already  prepared  to  receive. 

The  withdrawing-room  of  St.  Ruth's  was  an  apartment 
which,  tradition  said,  had  formerly  been  the  refectory  of  the 
little  bevy  of  fair  sinners  who  sought  a  refuge  within  its 
walls  from  the  temptations  of  the  world.  Their  number 
was  not  large,  nor  their  entertainments  very  splendid,  or 
this  limited  space  could  not  have  contained  them.  The 
room,  however,  was  of  fair  dimensions,  and  an  air  of  pecul- 
iar comfort,  mingled  with  chastened  luxury,  was  thrown 
around  it,  by  the  voluminous  folds  of  the  blue  damask  cur- 
tains that  nearly  concealed  the  sides  where  the  deep  win- 
dows were  placed,  and  by  the  dark  leathern  hangings, 
richly  stamped  with  cunning  devices  in  gold,  that  orna- 
mented the  two  others.  Massive  couches  in  carved  ma- 
hogany, with  chairs  of  a  similar  material  and  fashion,  all 
covered  by  the  same  rich  fabric  that  composed  the  curtains, 
together  with  a  Turkey  carpet,  over  the  shaggy  surface  of 
which  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow  were  scattered  in  bright 
confusion,  united  to  relieve  the  gloomy  splendor  of  the 
enormous  mantel,  deep,  heavy  cornices,  and  the  complicated 
carvings  of  the  massive  wood-work  which  cimibered  the 
walls.  A  brisk  fire  of  wood  was  burning  on  the  hearth,  in 
compliment  to  the  wilful  prejudice  of  Miss  Plowden,  who 
had  maintained,  in  her  most  vivacious  manner,  that  sea-coal 
was  ''only  tolerable  for  blacksmiths  and  Englishmen."  In 
addition  to  the  cheerful  blaze  from  the  hearth,  two  waxen 
lights,  in  candlesticks  of  massive  silver,  were  lending  theii 
aid  to  enliven  the  apartment.  One  of  these  was  casting  its 
rays  brightly  along  the  confused  colors  of  the  carpet  on 
which  it  stood,  flickering  before  the  active  movements  of 
the  form  that  played  around  it  with  light  and  animated  in- 
flections. The  posture  of  this  young  lady  was  infantile  in 
grace,  and,  with  one  ignorant  of  her  motives,  her  employ- 
ment would  have  been  obnoxious  to  the  same  construction. 
Divers  small  square  piece*  of  silk,  strongly  contrasted  to 


102 


TLbc  pilot 


each  other  in  color,  lay  on  every  side  of  her,  and  were 
changed,  as  she  kneeled  on  the  floor,  by  her  nimble  hands, 
into  as  many  different  combinations  as  if  she  was  humor- 
ing the  fancies  of  her  sex,  or  consulting  the  shades  of  her 
own  dark  but  rich  complexion  in  the  shop  of  a  mercer.  The 
close  satin  dress  of  this  young  female  served  to  display  her 
small  figure  in  its  true  proportions,  while  her  dancing  eyes 
of  jet-black  shamed  the  dyes  of  the  Italian  manufacturer  by 
their  superior  radiancy.  A  few  ribbons  of  pink,  disposed 
about  her  person  with  an  air  partly  studied,  and  yet  care- 
lessly coquettish,  seemed  rather  to  reflect  than  lend  the  rich 
bloom  that  mantled  around  her  laughing  countenance,  leav- 
ing to  the  eye  no  cause  to  regret  that  she  was  not  fairer. 

Another  female  figure,  clad  in  virgin  white,  was  reclining 
on  the  end  of  a  distant  couch.  The  seclusion  in  which  they 
lived  might  have  rendered  this  female  a  little  careless  of 
her  appearance,  or,  what  was  more  probable,  the  comb  had 
been  found  unequal  to  its  burthen ;  for  her  tresses,  which 
rivalled  the  hue  and  gloss  of  the  raven,  had  burst  from  their 
confinement,  and  dropping  over  her  shoulders,  fell  along  her 
dress  in  rich  profusion,  finally  resting  on  the  damask  of  the 
couch,  in  dark  folds,  like  glittering  silk.  A  small  hand, 
which  seemed  to  blush  at  its  own  naked  beauties,  supported 
her  head,  imbedded  in  the  volumes  of  her  hair,  like  the 
fairest  alabaster  set  in  the  deepest  ebony.  Beneath  the 
dark  profusion  of  her  curls,  which,  notwithstanding  the 
sweeping  train  that  fell  about  her  person,  covered  the  sum- 
mit of  her  head,  lay  a  low,  spotless  forehead  of  dazzling 
whiteness,  that  was  relieved  by  two  arches  so  slightly  and 
truly  drawn  that  they  appeared  to  have  been  produced  by 
the  nicest  touches  of  art.  The  fallen  lids  and  long  silken 
lashes  concealed  the  eyes  that  rested  on  the  floor,  as  if  their 
mistress  mused  in  melancholy.  The  remainder  of  the  fea- 
tures of  this  maiden  were  of  a  kind  that  is  most  difficult 
to  describe,  being  neither  regular  nor  perfect  in  their  several 
parts,  yet  harmonizing  and  composing  a  whole,  that  formed 
an  exquisite  picture  of  female  delicacy  and  loveliness.  There 
might  or  there  might  not  have  been  a  tinge  of  slight  red  in 
her  cheeks,  but  it  varied  with  each  emotion  of  her  bosom, 


XTbe  pilot 


even  as  she  mused  in  quiet,  now  seeming  to  steal  insidiously 
over  her  glowing  temples,  and  then  leaving  on  her  face  an 
almost  startling  paleness.  Her  stature,  as  she  reclined, 
seemed  above  the  medium  height  of  womanhood,  and  her 
figure  was  rather  delicate  than  full,  though  the  little  foot 
that  rested  on  the  damask  cushion  before  her,  displayed  a 
rounded  outline  that  any  of  her  sex  might  envy. 

**Oh!  I 'm  as  expert  as  if  I  were  signal  officer  to  the 
lyord  High  Admiral  of  this  realm  !  ' '  exclaimed  the  laugh- 
ing female  on  the  floor,  clapping  her  hands  together  in 
girHsh  exultation.  "  I  do  long,  Cecilia,  for  an  opportunity 
to  exhibit  my  skill." 

While  her  cousin  was  speaking.  Miss  Howard  raised  her 
head,  with  a  faint  smile,  and  as  she  turned  her  eyes  towards 
the  other,  a  spectator  might  have  been  disappointed,  but 
could  not  have  been  displeased,  by  the  unexpected  change 
the  action  produced  in  the  expression  of  her  countenance. 
Instead  of  the  piercing  black  eyes  that  the  deep  color  of 
her  tresses  would  lead  him  to  expect,  he  would  have  beheld 
two  large,  mild,  blue  orbs,  that  seemed  to  float  in  a  liquid 
j;o  pure  as  to  be  nearly  invisible,  and  which  were  more 
remarkable  for  their  tenderness  and  persuasion,  than  for  the 
vivid  flashes  that  darted  from  the  quick  glances  of  her 
companion. 

'  *  The  success  of  your  mad  excursion  to  the  sea-side,  my 
cousin,  has  bewildered  your  brain,"  returned  Cecilia  ;  but 
I  know  not  how  to  conquer  your  disease,  unless  we  prescribe 
salt  water  for  the  remedy,  as  in  some  other  cases  of  madness." 

* '  Ah  !  I  am  afraid  your  nostrum  would  be  useless, ' '  cried 
Katherine  ;  ' '  it  has  failed  to  wash  out  the  disorder  from  the 
sedate  Mr.  Richard  Barnstable,  who  has  had  the  regimen 
administered  to  him  through  many  a  hard  gale,  but  who 
continues  as  fair  a  candidate  for  Bedlam  as  ever.  Would 
you  think  it,  Cicely,  the  crazy  one  urged  me,  in  the  ten 
minutes'  conversation  we  held  together  on  the  clifis,  to 
accept  of  his  schooner  as  a  shower-bath  !  ' ' 

"  I  can  think  that  your  hardihood  might  encourage  him 
to  expect  much,  but  surely  he  could  not  have  been  serious 
in  such  a  proposal ! 


104 


Ube  pilot 


"  O  !  to  do  the  wretch  justice,  he  did  say  something  of  a 
chaplain  to  consecrate  the  measure,  but  there  was  boundless 
impudence  in  the  thought.  I  have  not,  nor  shall  I  forget 
it,  or  forgive  him  for  it,  these  six-and-twenty  years.  What 
a  fine  time  he  must  have  had  of  it,  in  his  little  Ariel,  among 
the  monstrous  waves  we  saw  tumbling  in  upon  the  shore 
to-day,  coz  !  I  hope  they  will  wash  his  impudence  out  of 
him  !  I  do  think  the  man  cannot  have  had  a  dry  thread 
about  him,  from  sun  to  sun.  I  must  believe  it  as  a  punish- 
ment for  his  boldness,  and,  be  certain,  I  shall  tell  him  of  it. 
I  will  form  half  a  dozen  signals,  this  instant,  to  joke  at  his 
moist  condition,  in  very  revenge. ' ' 

Pleased  with  her  own  thoughts,  and  buoyant  with  the 
secret  hope  that  her  adventurous  undertaking  would  be 
finally  crowned  with  complete  success,  the  gay  girl  shook 
her  black  locks,  in  infinite  mirth,  and  tossed  the  mimic  flags 
gayly  around  her  person,  as  she  was  busied  in  forming  new 
combinations,  in  order  to  amuse  herself  with  her  lover's 
disastrous  situation.  But  the  features  of  her  cousin  clouded 
with  the  thoughts  that  were  excited  by  her  remarks,  and 
she  replied,  in  a  tone  that  bore  some  little  of  the  accents  of 
reproach, — 

"  Katherine  !  Katherine  !  can  you  jest  when  there  is  so 
much  to  apprehend?  Forget  you  what  Alice  Dunscombe 
told  us  of  the  gale,  this  morning  ?  and  that  she  spoke  of 
two  vessels,  a  ship  and  a  schooner,  that  had  been  seen  ven- 
turing with  fearful  temerity  within  the  shoals,  only  six  miles 
from  the  Abbey,  and  that  unless  God  in  his  gracious  provi- 
dence had  been  kind  to  them,  there  was  but  little  doubt 
that  their  fate  would  be  a  sad  one  ?  Can  you,  that  know 
so  well  who  and  what  these  daring  mariners  are,  be  merry 
about  the  self-same  winds  that  cause  their  danger  ?  ' ' 

The  thoughtless,  laughing  girl  was  recalled  to  her  recol- 
lection by  this  remonstrance,  and  every  trace  of  mirth 
vanished  from  her  countenance,  leaving  a  momentary  death- 
like paleness  crossing  her  face,  and  she  clasped  her  hands 
before  her,  and  fastened  her  keen  eyes  vacantly  on  the 
splendid  pieces  of  silk  that  now  lay  unheeded  around  her. 
At  this  critical  moment  the  door  of  the  room  slowly  opened. 


tTbe  pilot 


and  Colonel  Howard  entered  the  apartment  with  an  air  that 
displayed  a  droll  mixture  of  stern  indignation,  with  a  chiv- 
alric  and  habitual  respect  to  the  sex. 

*'  I  solicit  your  pardon,  young  ladies,  for  the  interrup- 
tion," he  said;  "I  trust,  however,  that  an  old  man's 
presence  can  never  be  entirely  unexpected  in  the  drawing- 
room  of  his  wards." 

As  he  bowed,  the  colonel  seated  himself  on  the  end  of 
the  couch,  opposite  to  the  place  where  his  niece  had  been 
reclining,  for  Miss  Howard  had  risen  at  his  entrance,  and 
continued  standing  until  her  uncle  had  comfortably  disposed 
of  himself.  Throwing  a  glance  which  was  not  entirely  free 
from  self-commendation  around  the  comfortable  apartment, 
the  veteran  proceeded,  in  the  same  tone  as  before  : — 

* '  You  are  not  without  the  means  of  making  any  guest 
welcome,  nor  do  I  see  the  necessity  of  such  constant  seclusion 
from  the  eyes  of  the  world  as  you  thus  rigidly  practise. ' ' 

Cecilia  looked  timidly  at  her  uncle,  with  surprise,  before 
she  returned  an  answer  to  his  remark. 

''We  certainly  owe  much  to  your  kind  attention,  dear 
sir, ' '  she  at  length  uttered ;  ' '  but  is  our  retirement  alto- 
gether voluntary  ? ' ' 

* '  How  can  it  be  otherwise  !  are  you  not  mistress  of  this 
mansion,  madam?  In  selecting  the  residence  where  your, 
and,  permit  me  to  add,  my  ancestors,  so  long  dwelt  in  credit 
and  honor,  I  have  surely  been  less  governed  by  any  natural 
pride  that  I  might  have  entertained  on  such  a  subject,  than 
by  a  desire  to  consult  j^our  comfort  and  happiness.  Every- 
thing appears  to  my  aged  eyes  as  if  we  ought  not  to  be 
ashamed  to  receive  oirr  friends  within  these  walls.  The 
cloisters  of  St.  Ruth,  Miss  Howard,  are  not  entirely  bare, 
neither  are  their  tenants  wholly  tunworthy  to  be  seen. ' ' 

''Open,  then,  the  portals  of  the  Abbey,  sir,  and  your 
niece  will  endeavor  to  do  proper  credit  to  the  hospitality 
of  its  master. ' ' 

"That  was  spoken  like  Harry  Howard's  daughter,  frankly 
and  generously  !  ' '  cried  the  old  soldier,  insensibly  edging 
himself  nearer  to  his  niece.  ' '  If  my  brother  had  devoted 
himself  to  the  camp,  instead  of  the  sea,  Cecilia,  he  would  have 


Ube  pilot 


made  one  of  the  bravest  and  ablest  generals  in  his  majesty's 
service — poor  Harry  !  he  might  have  been  living  at  this 
very  day,  and  at  this  moment  leading  the  victorious  troops 
of  his  sovereign  through  the  revolted  colonies  in  triumph. 
But  he  is  gone,  Cicely,  and  has  left  you  behind  him,  as  his 
dear  representative,  to  perpetuate  our  family,  and  to  possess 
what  little  has  been  left  to  us  from  the  ravages  of  the  times." 

Surely,  dear  sir,"  said  Cecilia,  taking  his  hand,  which 
had  unconsciously  approached  her  person,  and  pressing  it  to 
her  lips,  ' '  we  had  no  cause  to  complain  of  our  lot  in  respect 
to  fortune,  though  it  may  cause  us  bitter  regret  that  so  few 
of  us  are  left  to  enjoy  it." 

No,  no,  no,"  said  Katherine,  in  a  low,  hurried  voice; 
' '  Alice  Dunscombe  is  and  must  be  wrong  ;  Providence  would 
never  abandon  brave  men  to  so  cruel  a  fate  ! ' ' 

* '  Alice  Dunscombe  is  here  to  atone  for  her  error,  if  she 
has  fallen  into  one, ' '  said  a  quiet,  subdued  voice,  in  which 
the  accents  of  a  provincial  dialect,  however,  were  slightly 
perceptible,  and  which,  in.  its  low  tones,  wanted  that  silvery 
clearness  that  gave  so  much  feminine  sweetness  to  the  words 
of  Miss  Howard,  and  which  even  rang  melodiously  in  the 
ordinarily  vivacious  strains  of  her  cousin. 

The  surprise  created  by  these  sudden  interruptions  caused 
a  total  suspension  of  the  discourse.  Katherine  Plowden, 
who  had  continued  kneeling  in  the  attitude  before  described, 
arose,  and  as  she  looked  about  her  in  momentary  confusion, 
the  blood  again  mantled  her  face  with  the  fresh  and  joyous 
springs  of  life.  The  other  speaker  advanced  steadily  into 
the  middle  of  the  room  ;  and  after  returning,  with  studied 
civility,  the  low  bow  of  Colonel  Howard,  seated  herself  in 
silence  on  the  opposite  couch.  The  manner  of  her  entrance, 
her  reception,  and  her  attire,  sufficiently  denoted  that  the 
presence  of  this  female  was  neither  unusual  nor  unwelcome. 
She  was  dressed  with  marked  simplicity,  though  with  a 
studied  neatness,  that  more  than  compensated  for  the  ab- 
sence of  ornaments.  Her  age  might  not  have  much  exceeded 
thirty,  but  there  was  an  adoption  of  customs  in  her  attire  that 
indicated  she  was  not  unwilling  to  be  thought  older.  Het 
fair  flaxen  hair  was  closely  confined  by  a  dark  bandeau. 


Xrbe  pilot 


107 


such  as  was  worn  in  a  nation  farther  north  by  virgins  only, 
over  which  a  few  curls  strayed,  in  a  manner  that  showed 
the  will  of  their  mistress  alone  restrained  their  luxuriance. 
Her  light  complexion  had  lost  much  of  its  brilliancy,  but 
enough  still  remained  to  assert  its  original  beauty  and 
clearness.  To  this  description  might  be  added,  fine, 
mellow,  blue  eyes ;  beautifully  white,  though  large,  teeth  ; 
a  regular  set  of  features,  and  a  person  that  was  clad  in  a 
dark  lead-colored  silk,  which  fitted  her  full,  but  gracefully 
moulded  form  with  the  closest  exactness. 

Colonel  Howard  paused  a  moment  after  this  lady  was 
seated,  and  then  turning  himself  to  Katherine  with  an  air 
that  became  stiff  and  constrained  by  attempting  to  seem 
extremely  easy,  he  said, — 

You  no  sooner  summon  Miss  Alice,  but  she  appears, 
Miss  Plowden — ready  and  (I  am  bold  to  say,  Miss  Alice)  able 
to  defend  herself  against  all  charges  that  her  worst  enemies 
can  allege  against  her. ' '   „n.,.^>^»^"^ 

'  *  I  have  no  charges  to  make  against!  Miss  Dunscombe, '  ^ 
said  Katherine,  pettishly,  ' '  nor  do  I  wish  to  have  dissen- 
sions created  between  me  and  my  friends,  even  by  Colonel 
Howard." 

*'  Colonel  Howard  will  studiously  avoid  such  offences  in 
future,"  said  the  veteran,  bowing;  and  turning  stiffly  to 
the  others,  he  continued,  "  I  was  just  conversing  with  my 
niece  as  you  entered.  Miss  Alice,  on  the  subject  of  her  im- 
muring herself  like  one  of  the  veriest  nuns  who  ever  inhab- 
ited these  cloisters.  I  tell  her,  madam,  that  neither  her 
years,  nor  my  fortune,  nor,  indeed,  her  own,  for  the  child  of 
Harry  Howard  was  not  left  penniless,  require  that  we  should 
live  as  if  the  doors  of  the  world  were  closed  against  us,  or 
there  was  no  other  entrance  to  St.  Ruth's  but  through  those 
antiquated  windows.  Miss  Plowden,  I  feel  it  to  be  my  duty 
to  inquire  why  those  pieces  of  silk  are  provided  in  such  an 
unusual  abundance,  and  in  so  extraordinary  a  shape  ? ' ' 

' '  To  make  a  gala  dress  for  the  ball  you  are  about  to  give, 
sir,"  said  Katherine,  with  a  saucy  smile,  that  was  only 
checked  by  the  reproachful  glance  of  her  cousin.  "  You 
have  taste  in  a  lady's  attire,  Colonel  Howard  ;  will  not  this 


XTbe  pilot 


bright  yellow  fonn  a  charming  relief  to  my  brown  face,  while 
this  white  and  black  relieve  one  another,  and  this  pink  con- 
trasts so  sweetly  with  black  eyes.  Will  not  the  whole  form 
a  turban  fit  for  an  empress  to  wear  ? ' ' 

As  the  arch  maiden  prattled  on  in  this  unmeaning  man- 
ner, her  rapid  fingers  entwined  the  flags  in  a  confused  maze, 
which  she  threw  over  her  head  in  a  form  not  unlike  the  orna- 
ment for  which  she  intimated  it  was  intended.  The  veteran 
was  by  far  too  polite  to  dispute  a  lady's  taste,  and  he  re- 
newed the  dialogue,  with  his  slightly  awakened  suspicion 
completely  quieted  by  her  dexterity  and  artifice.  But  al- 
though it  was  not  difiicult  to  deceive  Colonel  Howard  in 
matters  of  female  dress,  the  case  was  very  different  with 
Alice  Dunscombe.  This  lady  gazed  with  a  steady  eye  and 
reproving  countenance  on  the  fantastical  turban,  until  Kath- 
erine  threw  herself  by  her  side,  and  endeavored  to  lead  her 
attention  to  other  subjects,  by  her  playful  motions  and  whis- 
pered questions. 

' '  I  was  observing.  Miss  Alice, ' '  continued  the  colonel, 
* '  that  although  the  times  had  certainly  inflicted  some  loss 
on  my  estate,  yet  we  were  not  so  much  reduced,  as  to  be  un- 
able to  receive  our  friends  in  a  manner  that  would  not  dis- 
grace the  descendants  of  the  ancient  possessors  of  St.  Ruth. 
Cecilia,  here,  my  brother  Harry's  daughter,  is  a  young  lady 
that  any  uncle  might  be  proud  to  exhibit,  and  I  would  have 
her,  madam,  show  your  English  dames,  that  we  rear  no  un- 
worthy specimens  of  the  parent  stock  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Atlantic." 

''You  have  only  to  declare  your  pleasure,  my  good  uncle," 
said  Miss  Howard,  "  and  it  shall  be  executed." 

' '  Tell  us  how  we  can  oblige  you,  sir, ' '  continued  Kath- 
arine, * '  and  if  it  be  in  any  manner  that  will  relieve  the 
tedium  of  this  dull  residence,  I  promise  you  at  least  one 
cheerful  assistant  to  your  scheme." 

"You  speak  fair,"  cried  the  colonel,  "and  like  two  dis- 
creet and  worthy  girls  !  Well,  then,  our  first  step  shall  be 
to  send  a  message  to  Dillon  and  the  captain,  and  invite  them 
to  attend  your  coffee.    I  see  the  hour  approaches." 

Cecilia  made  no  reply,  but  looked  distressed,  and  dropped 


Ube  pilot 


109 


her  mild  eyes  to  the  carpet ;  but  Miss  Plowden  took  it  upon 
herself  to  answer. 

*  *  Nay,  sir,  that  would  be  for  them  to  proceed  in  the  mat- 
ter ;  as  your  proposal  was  that  the  first  step  should  be  ours, 
suppose  we  all  adjourn  to  your  part  of  the  house,  and  do 
the  honors  of  the  tea-table  in  your  drawing-room,  instead 
of  our  own.  I  understand,  sir,  that  you  have  had  an  apart- 
ment fitted  up  for  that  purpose  in  some  style  ;  a  woman's 
taste  might  aid  your  designs,  however. ' ' 

"Miss  Plowden,  I  believe  I  intimated  to  you  some  time 
since,"  said  the  displeased  colonel,  "that  so  long  as  certain 
suspicious  vessels  were  known  to  hover  on  this  coast,  I  should 
desire  that  you  and  Miss  Howard  would  confine  yourselves 
to  this  wing. ' ' 

' '  Do  not  say  that  we  confine  ourselves, ' '  said  Katherine, 
"  but  let  it  be  spoken  in  plain  English,  that  you  confine  us 
here." 

"Am  I  a  jailer,  madam,  that  you  apply  such  epithets  to 
my  conduct  ?  Miss  Alice  must  form  strange  conclusions  of 
our  manners,  if  she  receive  her  impressions  from  your  very 
singular  remarks.    I — ' ' 

*  *  All  measures  adopted  from  a  dread  of  the  ship  and 
schooner  that  ran  within  the  Devil's  Grip,  yester-eve,  maybe 
dispensed  with  now, ' '  interrupted  Miss  Dunscombe,  in  a  mel- 
ancholy, reflecting  tone.  "  There  are  few  living  who  know 
the  dangerous  paths  that  can  conduct  even  the  smallest  craft 
in  safety  from  the  land,  with  daylight  and  fair  winds  ;  but 
when  darkness  and  adverse  gales  oppose  them,  the  chance 
for  safety  lies  wholly  in  God's  kindness." 

' '  There  is  truly  much  reason  to  believe  they  are  lost, ' ' 
returned  the  veteran,  in  a  voice  in  which  no  exultation  was 
apparent. 

"They  are  not  lost  !"  exclaimed  Katherine,  with  start- 
ling energy,  leaving  her  seat,  and  walking  across  the  room 
to  join  Cecilia,  with  an  air  that  seemed  to  elevate  her  little 
figure  to  the  height  of  her  cousin.  "  They  are  skilful  and 
they  are  brave,  and  what  gallant  sailors  can  do  will  the)^  do, 
and  successfully  ;  besides,  in  what  behalf  would  a  just  Prov- 
idence sooner  exercise  its  merciful  power,  than  to  protect 


no 


Ube  pilot 


the  daring  children  of  an  oppressed  country,  while  contend- 
ing against  tyranny  and  countless  wrongs?  " 

The  conciliating  disposition  of  the  colonel  deserted  him, 
as  he  listened.  His  own  black  eyes  sparkled  with  a  vivid- 
ness unusual  for  his  years,  and  his  courtesy  barely  permitted 
the  lady  to  conclude,  ere  he  broke  forth, — 

**  What  sin,  madam,  what  damning  crime,  would  sooner 
call  down  the  just  wrath  of  Heaven  on  the  transgressors,  than 
the  act  of  foul  rebellion  ?  It  was  this  crime,  madam,  that 
deluged  England  in  blood  in  the  reign  of  the  first  Charles  ; 
it  is  this  crime  that  has  dyed  more  fields  red  than  all  the 
rest  of  man's  offences  united ;  it  has  been  visited  on  our 
race  as  a  condign  punishment,  from  the  days  of  the  de- 
servedly devoted  Absalom,  down  to  the  present  time  ;  in 
short,  it  lost  Heaven  forever  to  some  of  the  most  glorious  of 
its  angels,  and  there  is  much  reason  to  believe  that  it  is  the 
one  unpardonable  sin  named  in  the  holy  gospels. ' ' 

I  know  not  that  you  have  authority  for  believing  it  to 
be  the  heavy  enormity  that  you  mention,  Colonel  Howard, ' ' 
said  Miss  Dunscombe,  anticipating  the  spirited  reply  of 
Katherine,  and  willing  to  avert  it ;  she  hesitated  an  instant, 
and  then  drawing  a  heavy,  shivering  sigh,  she  continued,  in 
a  voice  that  grew  softer  as  she  spoke,  "'tis  indeed  a  crime 
of  magnitude,  and  one  that  throws  the  common  backslidings 
of  our  lives,  speaking  by  comparison,  into  the  sunshine  of 
his  favor.  Many  there  are  who  sever  the  dearest  ties  of 
this  life,  by  madly  rushing  into  its  sinful  vortex  ;  for  I  fain 
think  the  heart  grows  hard  with  the  sight  of  human  calamity, 
and  becomes  callous  to  the  miseries  its  owner  inflicts  ;  espec- 
ially where  we  act  the  wrongs  on  our  own  kith  and  kin, 
regardless  who  or  how  many  that  are  dear  to  us  suffer  by 
our  evil  deeds.  It  is,  besides,  Colonel  Howard,  a  dangerous 
temptation,  to  one  little  practised  in  the  great  world,  to  find 
himself  suddenly  elevated  into  the  seat  of  power  ;  and  if  it 
do  not  lead  to  the  commission  of  great  crimes,  it  surely  pre- 
pares the  way  to  it,  by  hardening  the  heart. ' ' 

' '  I  hear  you  patiently.  Miss  Alice, ' '  said  Katherine,  danc- 
ing her  little  foot,  in  affected  coolness;  "for  yon  neither 
know  of  whom  nor  to  whom  you  speak.     But  Colonel 


Ube  pilot 


III 


Howard  has  not  that  apology.  Peace,  Cecilia,  for  I  must 
speak  !  Believe  them  not,  dear  girl ;  there  is  not  a  wet 
hair  on  their  heads.  For  you,  Colonel  Howard,  who  must 
recollect  that  the  sister's  son  of  the  mothers  of  both  your 
niece  and  myself  is  on  board  that  frigate,  there  is  an  appear- 
ance of  cruelty  in  using  such  language. ' ' 

' '  I  pity  the  boy  !  from  my  soul  I  pity  him  !  ' '  exclaimed 
the  veteran  ;  "he  is  a  child,  and  has  followed  the  current 
that  is  sweeping  our  unhappy  colonies  down  the  tide  of  de- 
struction. But  there  are  others  in  that  vessel  who  have  no 
excuse  of  ignorance  to  offer.  There  is  a  son  of  my  old 
acquaintance,  and  the  bosom  friend  of  my  brother  Harry, 
Cecilia's  father,  dashing  Hugh  Griffith,  as  we  called  him. 
The  urchins  left  home  together,  and  were  rated  on  board 
one  of  his  majesty's  vessels  on  the  same  day.  Poor  Harry 
lived  to  carry  a  broad  pennant  in  the  service,  and  Hugh  died 
in  command  of  a  frigate.  This  boy,  too  !  he  was  nurtured 
on  board  his  father's  vessel,  and  learned,  from  his  majesty's 
discipline,  how  to  turn  his  arms  against  his  king.  There  is 
something  shockingly  unnatural  in  that  circumstance,  Miss 
Alice  ;  't  is  the  child  inflicting  a  blow  on  the  parent.  'T  is 
such  men  as  these,  with  Washington  at  their  head,  who 
maintain  the  bold  front  that  this  rebellion  wears. ' ' 

* '  There  are  men  who  have  never  worn  the  servile  livery 
of  Britain,  sir,  whose  names  are  as  fondly  cherished  in 
America  as  any  that  she  boasts  of, ' '  said  Katherine,  proudly  ; 
"ay,  sir,  and  those  who  would  gladly  oppose  the  bravest 
officers  in  the  British  fleet. ' ' 

"I  contend  not  against  your  misguided  reason,"  said 
Colonel  Howard,  rising  with  cool  respect.  "  A  young  lady 
who  ventures  to  compare  rebels  with  gallant  gentlemen  en- 
gaged in  their  duty  to  their  prince,  cannot  escape  the  impu- 
tation of  possessing  a  misguided  reason.  No  man — I  speak 
not  of  women,  who  cannot  be  supposed  so  well  versed  in 
human  nature — but  no  man  who  has  reached  the  time  of  life 
that  entitles  him  to  be  called  by  that  name  can  consort  with 
these  disorganizers,  who  would  destroy  everything  that  is 
sacred — these  levellers,  who  would  pull  down  the  great,  to 
exalt  the  little — these  jacobins,  who — who — " 


112 


XTbe  pilot 


"  Nay,  sir,  if  you  are  at  a  loss  for  opprobrious  epithets,** 
saith  Katherine,  with  provoking  coolness,  ''call  on  Mr. 
Christopher  Dillon  for  assistance  ;  he  waits  your  pleasure  at 
the  door." 

Colonel  Howard  turned  in  amazement,  forgetting  his 
angry  declamations  at  this  unexpected  intelligence,  and  be- 
held, in  reality,  the  sombre  visage  of  his  kinsman,  who 
stood  holding  the  door  in  his  hand,  apparently  as  much  sur- 
prised at  finding  himself  in  the  presence  of  the  ladies,  as 
they  themselves  could  be  at  his  unusual  visit. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Prithee,  Kate,  let  *s  stand  aside, 
And  see  the  end  of  this  controversy." 

Taming  of  the  Shrew. 

DURING  the  warm  discussions  of  the  preceding 
chapter,  Miss  Howard  had  bowed  her  pale  face  to 
the  arm  of  the  couch,  and  sat  an  unwilling  and 
distressed  listener  to  the  controversy  ;  but  now 
that  another,  and  one  whom  she  thought  an  unauthorized 
intruder  on  her  privacy  was  announced,  she  asserted  the 
dignity  of  her  sex  as  proudly,  though  with  something  more 
of  discretion,  than  her  cousin  could  possibly  have  done. 
Rising  from  her  seat,  she  inquired, — 

* '  To  what  are  we  indebted  for  so  unexpected  a  visit  from 
Mr.  Dillon  ?  Surely  he  must  know  that  we  are  prohibited 
going  to  the  part  of  the  dwelling  where  he  resides,  and  I 
trust  Colonel  Howard  will  tell  him  that  common  justice 
requires  we  should  be  permitted  to  be  private. ' ' 

The  gentleman  replied,  in  a  manner  in  which  malignant 
anger  was  sufficiently  mingled  with  calculating  humility, — 
"  Miss  Howard  will  think  better  of  my  intrusion,  when  she 
knows  that  I  come  on  business  of  importance  to  her  uncle. ' ' 
"  Ah  !  that  may  alter  the  case.  Kit ;  but  the  ladies  must 
have  the  respect  that  is  due  to  their  sex.  I  forgot,  some- 
how, to  have  myself  announced  ;  but  that  Borroughclifife 
leads  me  deeper  into  my  Madeira  than  I  have  been  accus- 
tomed to  go,  since  the  time  when  my  poor  brother  Harry, 
with  his  worthy  friend,  Hugh  Griffith — the  devil  seize 
Hugh  Griffith,  and  all  his  race — your  pardon,  Miss  Alice— 
what  is  your  business  with  me,  Mr.  Dillon?'* 

8 

U3 


114 


Ubc  pilot 


*  *  I  bear  a  message  from  Captain  Borroughcliffe.  You 
may  remember  that,  according  to  your  suggestions,  the 
sentinels  were  to  be  changed  every  night,  sir. ' ' 

"Ay,  ay;  we  practised  that  in  our  campaign  against 
Montcalm  ;  't  was  necessary,  to  avoid  the  murders  of  their 
Indians,  who  were  sure,  Miss  Alice,  to  shoot  down  a  man 
at  his  post,  if  he  were  placed  two  nights  running  in  the 
same  place." 

"Well,  sir,  your  prudent  precautions  have  not  been 
thrown  away,"  continued  Dillon,  moving  farther  into  the 
apartment,  as  if  he  felt  himself  becoming  a  more  welcome 
guest  as  he  proceeded  ;  "  the  consequences  are,  that  we  have 
already  made  three  prisoners." 

* '  Truly  it  has  been  a  most  politic  scheme  ! ' '  exclaimed 
Katherine  Plowden,  with  infinite  contempt.  "  I  suppose,  as 
Mr.  Christopher  Dillon  applauds  it  so  highly,  that  it  has 
some  communion  with  the  law  !  and  that  the  redoubtable 
garrison  of  St.  Ruth  are  about  to  reap  the  high  glory  of 
being  most  successful  thief- takers  !  ' ' 

The  sallow  face  of  Dillon  actually  became  livid  as  he 
replied,  and  his  whole  frame  shook  with  the  rage  he  vainly 
endeavored  to  suppress. 

"There  may  be  a  closer  communion  with  the  law  and 
its  ministers,  perhaps,  than  Miss  Plowden  can  desire,"  he 
said ;  ' '  for  rebellion  seldom  finds  favor  in  any  Christian 
code." 

* '  Rebellion  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  colonel  ;  ' '  and  what  has 
this  detention  of  three  vagabonds  to  do  with  rebellion.  Kit  ? 
Has  the  damnable  poison  found  its  way  across  the  Atlantic  ? 
— your  pardon,  Miss  Alice — but  this  is  a  subject  on  which 
you  can  feel  with  me ;  I  know  your  sentiments  on  the 
allegiance  that  is  due  to  our  anointed  sovereign.  Speak, 
Mr.  Dillon,  are  we  surrounded  b}^  another  set  of  demons ! 
if  so,  we  must  give  ourselves  to  the  work,  and  rally  roimd 
our  prince  ;  for  this  island  is  the  main  pillar  of  his  throne." 

"I  cannot  say  that  there  is  any  appearance,  at  present, 
of  an  intention  to  rise  in  this  island,"  said  Dillon,  with 
demure  gravity  ;  ' '  though  the  riots  in  I^ondon  warrant  any 
precautionary  measures  on  the  part  of  his  majesty's  min* 


Ube  pilot 


"5 


isters,  even  to  a  suspension  of  the  habeas  corpus.  But  you 
have  had  your  suspicions  concerning  two  certain  vessels 
that  have  been  threatening  the  coast,  for  several  days  past, 
in  a  most  piratical  manner  ? ' ' 

The  little  foot  of  Katherine  played  rapidly  on  the  splen- 
did carpet,  but  she  contented  herself  with  bestowing  a  glance 
of  the  most  sovereign  contempt  on  the  speaker,  as  if  she  dis- 
dained any  further  reply.  With  the  colonel,  however,  this 
was  touching  a  theme  that  lay  nearest  his  heart,  and  he 
answered,  in  a  manner  worthy  of  the  importance  of  the 
subject, — 

"  You  speak  like  a  sensible  man,  and  a  loyal  subject,  Mr. 
Dillon.  The  habeas  corpus,  Miss  Alice,  was  obtained  in 
the  reign  of  King  John,  along  with  Magna  Charta,  for  the 
security  of  the  throne,  by  his  majesty's  barons  ;  some  of  my 
own  blood  were  of  the  number,  which  alone  would  be  a 
pledge  that  the  dignity  of  the  crown  was  properly  consulted. 
As  to  our  piratical  countrymen,  Christopher,  there  is  much 
reason  to  think  that  the  vengeance  of  an  offended  Providence 
has  already  reached  them.  Those  who  know  the  coast  well 
tell  me  that  without  a  better  pilot  than  an  enemy  would  be 
likely  to  procure,  it  would  be  impossible  for  any  vessel  to 
escape  the  shoals  among  which  they  entered,  on  a  dark 
night,  and  with  an  adverse  gale  :  the  morning  has  arrived, 
and  they  are  not  to  be  seen  ! ' ' 

"  But  be  they  friends  or  be  they  enemies,  sir,"  continued 
Dillon,  respectfully,  "  there  is  much  reason  to  think  that  we 
have  now  in  the  Abbey  those  who  can  tell  us  something  of 
their  true  character  ;  for  the  men  we  have  detained  carry 
with  them  the  appearance  of  having  just  landed,  and  wear 
not  only  the  dress,  but  the  air  of  seamen. ' ' 

"Of  seamen!"  echoed  Katherine,  a  deadly  paleness 
chasing  from  her  cheeks  the  bloom  which  indignation  had 
heightened. 

Of  seamen.  Miss  Plowden,"  repeated  Dillon,  with  ma- 
lignant satisfaction,  but  concealing  it  under  an  air  of  submis- 
sive  respect. 

I  thank  you,  sir,  for  so  gentle  a  term,"  replied  the  young 
lady,  recollecting  herself,  and  recovering  her  presence  of 


ii6 


Zbc  pilot 


mind  in  the  same  instant :  * '  the  imagination  of  Mr.  Dillon 
is  so  apt  to  conjure  the  worst,  that  he  is  entitled  to  our 
praise  for  so  far  humoring  our  weakness,  as  not  to  alarm  us 
with  the  apprehensions  of  their  being  pirates." 

"Nay,  madam,  they  may  yet  deserve  that  name,"  re- 
turned the  other,  coolly  ;  ' '  but  my  education  has  instructed 
me  to  hear  the  testimony  before  I  pronounce  sentence." 

* '  Ah  !  that  the  boy  has  found  in  his  '  Coke  upon  Little- 
ton,' "  cried  the  colonel ;  "  the  law  is  a  salutary  corrective 
to  human  infirmities,  Miss  Alice  ;  and  among  other  things, 
it  teaches  patience  to  a  hasty  temperament.  But  for  this 
cursed,  unnatural  rebellion,  madam,  the  young  man  would, 
at  this  moment,  have  been  diffusing  its  blessings  from  a 
judicial  chair,  in  one  of  the  colonies — ay,  and  I  pledge  my- 
self, to  all  alike,  black  and  white,  red  and  yellow,  with  such 
proper  distinctions  as  nature  has  made  between  the  oflBcer 
and  the  private.  Keep  a  good  heart,  kinsman ;  we  shall 
yet  find  a  time  !  the  royal  arms  have  many  hands,  and 
things  look  better  at  the  last  advices.  But  come,  we  will 
proceed  to  the  guard-room,  and  put  these  stragglers  to  the 
question ;  runaways,  I  '11  venture  to  predict,  from  one  of 
his  majesty's  cruisers,  or,  perhaps,  honest  subjects  engaged 
in  supplying  the  service  with  men.  Come,  Kit,  come,  let  us 
go,  and — " 

* '  Are  we  then  to  lose  the  company  of  Colonel  Howard  so 
soon?  "  said  Katherine,  advancing  to  her  guardian,  with  an 
air  of  blandishment  and  pleasantry.  "  I  know  that  he  too 
soon  forgets  the  hasty  language  of  our  little  disputes,  to  part 
in  anger,  if,  indeed,  he  will  even  quit  us  till  he  has  tasted 
of  our  coffee." 

The  veteran  turned  to  the  speaker  of  this  unexpected 
address,  and  listened  with  profound  attention.  When  she  had 
done,  he  replied,  with  a  good  deal  of  softness  in  his  tones, — 
Ah  !  provoking  one  !  you  know  me  too  well,  to  doubt 
my  forgiveness  ;  but  duty  must  be  attended  to,  though  even 
a  young  lady's  smiles  tempt  me  to  remain.  Yes,  yes,  child, 
you,  too,  are  the  daughter  of  a  very  brave  and  worthy  sea- 
man ;  but  you  carry  your  attachment  to  that  profession  too 
far,  Miss  Plowden — you  do,  indeed  you  do." 


Zbc  pilot 


117 


Katherine  might  have  faintly  blushed ;  but  the  slight 
smile,  which  mingled  with  the  expression  of  her  shame, 
g-ave  to  her  countenance  a  look  of  additional  archness,  and 
she  laid  her  hand  lightly  on  the  sleeve  of  her  guardian,  to 
detain  him,  as  she  replied, — 

'  *  Yet  why  leave  us.  Colonel  Howard  ?  It  is  long  since 
we  have  seen  you  in  the  cloisters,  and  you  know  you  come 
as  a  father ;  tarry,  and  you  may  yet  add  confessor  to  the 
title." 

"  I  know  thy  sins  already,  girl,"  said  the  worthy  colonel, 
unconsciously  yielding  to  her  gentle  efforts  to  lead  him  back 
to  his  seat ;  ' '  they  are,  deadly  rebellion  in  your  heart  to  your 
prince,  a  most  inveterate  propensity  to  salt  water,  and  a 
great  disrespect  to  the  advice  and  wishes  of  an  old  fellow 
whom  your  father's  will  and  the  laws  of  the  realm  have 
made  the  guardian  of  your  person  and  fortune." 

* '  Nay,  say  not  the  last,  dear  sir, ' '  cried  Katherine  ;  *  *  for 
there  is  not  a  syllable  you  have  ever  said  to  me  on  that  fool- 
ish subject,  that  I  have  forgotten.  Will  you  resume  your 
seat  again  ?  Cecilia,  Colonel  Howard  consents  to  take  his 
coffee  with  us. " 

"  But  you  forget  the  three  men,  honest  Kit,  there,  and  our 
respectable  guest,  Captain  Borroughcliffe. ' ' 

* '  lyCt  honest  Kit  stay  there,  if  he  please  ;  you  may  send  a 
request  to  Captain  Borroughcliffe  to  join  our  party  ;  I  have 
a  woman's  curiosity  to  see  the  soldier  ;  and  as  for  the  three 
men — ' '  she  paused,  and  affected  to  muse  a  moment,  when 
she  continued,  as  if  struck  by  an  obvious  thought —  ' '  yes, 
and  the  men  can  be  brought  in  and  examined  here  ;  who 
knows  but  they  may  have  been  wrecked  in  the  gale,  and 
need  our  pity  and  assistance,  rather  than  deserve  your  sus- 
picions ! ' ' 

''There  is  a  solemn  warning  in  Miss  Plowden's  conjecture, 
that  should  come  home  to  the  breasts  of  all  who  live  on  this 
wild  coast, ' '  said  Alice  Dunscombe  ;  "I  have  known  many 
a  sad  wreck  among  the  hidden  shoals,  and  when  the  wind 
has  blown  but  a  gentle  gale  compared  to  last  night's  tempest. 
The  wars,  and  the  uncertainties  of  the  times,  together  with 
man's  own  wicked  passions,  have  made  great  havoc  with 


ii8 


Ube  pilot 


those  who  knew  well  the  windings  of  the  channels  among 
the  '  Ripples. '  Some  there  were  who  could  pass,  as  I  have 
often  heard,  within  a  fearful  distance  of  the  'Devil's  Grip,' 
che  darkest  night  that  ever  shadowed  England  ;  but  all  are 
now  gone  of  that  daring  set,  either  by  the  hand  of  death,  or, 
what  is  even  as  mournful,  by  unnatural  banishment  from  the 
land  of  their  fathers." 

"  This  war  has  then  probably  drawn  off  most  of  them,  for 
your  recollections  must  be  quite  recent,  Miss  Alice,"  said 
the  veteran  ;  ' '  as  many  of  them  were  engaged  in  the  busi- 
ness of  robbing  his  majesty's  revenue,  the  country  is  in  some 
measure  requited  for  the  former  depredations,  by  their  pres- 
ent services,  and  at  the  same  time  it  is  happily  rid  of  their 
presence.  Ah  !  madam,  ours  is  a  glorious  constitution, 
where  things  are  so  nicely  balanced,  that,  as  in  the  physical 
organization  of  a  healthy,  vigorous  man,  the  baser  parts  are 
purified  in  the  course  of  things,  by  its  own  wholesome 
struggles." 

The  pale  features  of  Alice  Dunscombe  became  slightly 
tinged  with  red,  as  the  colonel  proceeded,  nor  did  the  faint 
glow  entirely  leave  her  pallid  face,  until  she  had  said, — 

"There  might  have  been  some  who  knew  not  how  to  re- 
spect the  laws  of  the  land,  for  such  are  never  wanting  ;  but 
there  were  others,  who,  however  guilty  they  might  be  in 
many  respects,  need  not  charge  themselves  with  that  mean 
crime,  and  yet  who  could  find  the  passages  that  lie  hid  from 
common  eyes,  beneath  the  rude  waves,  as  well  as  you  could  find 
the  way  through  the  halls  and  galleries  of  the  Abbey,  with  a 
noonday  sun  shining  upon  its  vanes  and  high  chimneys. ' ' 

*^  Is  it  your  pleasure,  Colonel  Howard,  that  we  examine 
the  three  men,  and  ascertain  whether  they  belong  to  the 
number  of  these  gifted  pilots?  "  said  Christopher  Dillon, 
who  was  growing  uneasy  at  his  awkward  situation,  and  who 
hardly  deemed  it  necessary  to  conceal  the  look  of  contempt 
which  he  cast  at  the  mild  Alice,  while  he  spoke  ;  "perhaps 
we  may  gather  information  enough  from  them  to  draw  a 
chart  of  the  coast  that  may  gain  us  credit  with  my  lords  of 
the  Admiralty." 

This  unprovoked  attack  on  their  unresistin,e  and  unoffend-* 


Zbc  pilot 


119 


ing  guest,  brought  the  rich  blood  to  the  very  temples  of 
Miss  Howard,  who  rose,  and  addressed  herself  to  her  kins- 
man, with  a  manner  that  could  not  easily  be  mistaken,  any 
more  than  it  could  be  condemned  : — 

' '  If  Mr.  Dillon  will  comply  with  the  wishes  of  Colonel 
Howard,  as  my  cousin  has  expressed  them,  we  shall  not, 
at  least,  have  to  accuse  ourselves  of  unnecessarily  detaining 
men  who  probably  are  more  unfortunate  than  guilty. ' ' 

When  she  concluded,  Cecilia  walked  across  the  apartment 
and  took  a  seat  by  the  side  of  Alice  Dunscombe,  with  whom 
she  began  to  converse,  in  a  low,  soothing  tone  of  voice. 
Mr.  Dillon  bowed  with  a  deprecating  humility,  and  having 
ascertained  that  Colonel  Howard  chose  to  give  an  audience, 
where  he  sat,  to  the  prisoners,  he  withdrew  to  execute  his 
mission,  secretly  exulting  at  any  change  that  promised  to 
lead  to  a  renewal  of  an  intercourse  that  might  terminate 
more  to  his  advantage,  than  the  lofty  beauty  whose  favor  he 
courted  was,  at  present,  disposed  to  concede. 

"  Christopher  is  a  worthy,  serviceable,  good  fellow,"  said 
the  colonel,  when  the  door  was  closed,  "  and  I  hope  to  live 
yet  to  see  him  clad  in  ermine.  I  would  not  be  understood 
literally,  but  figuratively  ;  for  furs  would  but  ill  comport 
the  climate  of  the  Carolinas.  I  trust  I  am  to  be  consulted 
by  his  majesty's  ministers  when  the  new  appointments  shall 
be  made  for  the  subdued  colonies,  and  he  may  safely  rely  on 
my  good  word  being  spoken  in  his  favor.  Would  he  not 
make  an  excellent  and  independent  ornament  of  the  bench, 
Miss  Plowden  ? ' ' 

Katherine  compressed  her  lips  a  little  as  she  replied, — 

'  *  I  must  profit  by  his  own  discreet  rules,  and  see  testi- 
mony to  that  effect,  before  I  decide,  sir.  But  listen  ! ' ' 
The  young  lady"s  color  changed  rapidly,  and  her  eyes 
became  fixed  in  a  sort  of  feverish  gaze  on  the  door.  ' '  He 
has  at  least  been  active ;  I  hear  the  heavy  tread  of  men 
already  approaching. ' ' 

''Ah!  it  is  he  certainly;  justice  ought  always  to  be 
prompt  as  well  as  certain,  to  make  it  perfect,  like  a  drum- 
head court-martial,  which,  by  the  way,  is  as  summary  a  sort 
of  government  as  heart  could  wish  to  live  under.    If  hi? 


ISO 


XTbe  pilot 


majesty's  ministers  could  be  persuaded  to  introduce  into  the 
revolted  colonies — " 

* '  lyisten  !  ' '  interrupted  Katherine,  in  a  voice  which  be- 
spoke her  deep  anxiety  ;  * '  they  draw  near  !  ' ' 

The  sound  of  footsteps  was  in  fact  now  so  audible  as  to 
induce  the  colonel  to  suspend  the  delivery  of  his  plan  for 
governing  the  recovered  provinces.  The  long,  low  gallery 
which  was  paved  with  a  stone  flagging,  soon  brought  the 
footsteps  of  the  approaching  party  more  distinctly  to  their 
ears,  and  presently  a  low  tap  at  the  door  announced  their 
arrival.  Colonel  Howard  arose,  with  the  air  of  one  who  was 
to  sustain  the  principal  character  in  the  ensuing  interview, 
and  bade  them  enter.  Cecilia  and  Alice  Dunscombe  merely 
cast  careless  looks  at  the  opening  door,  indifferent  to 
the  scene ;  but  the  quick  eye  of  Katherine  embraced,  at  a 
glance,  every  figure  in  the  group.  Drawing  a  long,  quiv- 
ering breath,  she  fell  back  on  the  couch,  and  her  eyes  again 
lighted  with  their  playful  expression,  as  she  hummed  a  low, 
rapid  air,  with  a  voice  in  which  even  the  suppressed  tones 
were  liquid  melody. 

Dillon  entered,  preceding  the  soldier,  whose  gait  had 
become  more  steady,  and  in  whose  rigid  eye  a  thoughtful 
expression  had  taken  the  place  of  its  former  vacant  gaze. 
In  short,  something  had  manifestly  restored  to  him  a  more 
complete  command  of  his  mental  powers,  although  he  might 
not  have  been  absolutely  sobered.  The  rest  of  the  party 
continued  in  the  gallery,  while  Mr.  Dillon  presented  the 
renovated  captain  to  the  colonel,  when  the  latter  did  him 
the  same  kind  office  with  the  ladies. 

Miss  Plowden,"  said  the  veteran,  for  she  offered  first  in 
the  circle,  * '  this  is  my  friend.  Captain  Borroughcliffe  :  he 
has  long  been  ambitious  of  this  honor,  and  I  have  no  doubt 
his  reception  will  be  such  as  to  leave  him  no  cause  to  repent 
he  has  been  at  last  successful. ' ' 

Katherine  smiled,  and  answered,  with  ambiguous  em- 
phasis,— 

*  *  I  know  not  how  to  thank  him  sufficiently  for  the  care  he 
has  bestowed  on  our  poor  persons." 

The  soldier  looked  steadily  at  her  for  a  moment,  with  an 


Ubc  pilot 


121 


eye  that  seemed  to  threaten  a  retaliation  in  kind,  ere  he 
replied, — 

One  of  those  smiles,  madam,  would  be  an  ample  com- 
pensation for  services  that  are  more  real  than  such  as  exist 
only  in  intention." 

Katherine  bowed  with  more  complacency  than  she  usually 
bestowed  on  those  who  wore  the  British  uniform  ;  and  they 
proceeded  to  the  next. 

'  *  This  is  Miss  Alice  Dunscombe,  Captain  Borroughcliffe, 
daughter  of  a  very  worthy  clergyman  who  was  formerly  the 
curate  of  this  parish,  and  a  lady  who  does  us  the  pleasure  of 
giving  us  a  good  deal  of  her  society,  though  far  less  than 
we  all  wish  for. ' ' 

The  captain  returned  the  civil  inclination  of  Alice,  and 
the  colonel  proceeded. 

*'Miss  Howard,  allow  me  to  present  Captain  Borrough- 
cliffe, a  gentleman  who,  having  volunteered  to  defend  St. 
Ruth  in  these  critical  times,  merits  all  the  favor  of  its 
mistress." 

Cecilia  gracefully  rose,  and  received  her  guest  with  sweet 
complacency.  The  soldier  made  no  reply  to  the  customary- 
compliments  that  she  uttered,  but  stood  an  instant  gazing 
at  her  speaking  countenance,  and  then,  laying  his  hand 
involuntarily  on  his  breast,  bowed  nearly  to  his  sword-hilt. 

These  formalities  duly  observed,  the  colonel  declared  his 
readiness  to  receive  the  prisoners.  As  the  door  was  opened 
by  Dillon,  Katherine  cast  a  cool  and  steady  look  at  the 
strangers,  and  beheld  the  light  glancing  along  the  arms  of 
the  soldiers  who  guarded  them.  But  the  seamen  entered 
alone  ;  while  the  rattling  of  arms,  and  the  heavy  dash  of 
the  muskets  on  the  stone  pavement,  announced  that  it  was 
thought  prudent  to  retain  a  force  at  hand,  to  watch  these 
secret  intruders  on  the  grounds  of  the  Abbey. 


^^^^ 


CHAPTER  XII. 


"Food  for  powder;  they  '11  fill  a  pit  as  well  as  better." 

King  Henry  IV. 

THE  three  men  who  now  entered  the  apartment  ap- 
peared to  be  nothing  daunted  by  the  presence  into 
which  they  were  ushered,  though  clad  in  the 
coarse  and  weather-beaten  vestments  of  seamen 
who  had  been  exposed  to  recent  and  severe  duty.  They 
silently  obeyed  the  direction  of  the  soldier's  finger,  and  took 
their  stations  in  a  distant  corner  of  the  room,  like  men  who 
knew  the  deference  due  to  rank,  at  the  same  time  that  the 
habits  of  their  lives  had  long  accustomed  them  to  encounter 
the  vicissitudes  of  the  world.  With  this  slight  preparation, 
Colonel  Howard  began  the  business  of  examination. 

"  I  trust  ye  are  all  good  and  loyal  subjects,"  the  veteran 
commenced,  with  a  considerate  respect  for  innocence,  but 
the  times  are  such  that  even  the  most  worthy  characters 
become  liable  to  suspicion  ;  and,  consequently,  if  our  ap- 
prehensions should  prove  erroneous,  you  must  overlook  the 
mistake,  and  attribute  it  to  the  awful  condition  into  which 
rebellion  has  plunged  this  empire.  We  have  much  reason 
to  fear  that  some  project  is  about  to  be  undertaken  on  the 
coast  by  the  enemy,  who  has  appeared,  we  know,  with  a 
frigate  and  schooner  ;  and  the  audacity  of  the  rebels  is  only 
equalled  by  their  shameless  and  wicked  disrespect  for  the 
rights  of  the  sovereign." 

While  Colonel  Howard  was  uttering  his  apologetic  pre- 
amble, the  prisoners  fastened  their  eyes  on  him  with  much 
interest ;  but  when  he  alluded  to  the  apprehended  attack, 
the  gaze  of  two  of  them  became  more  keenly  attentive,  and 

122 


XTbe  pilot 


123 


before  tie  concluded,  they  exchanged  furtive  glances  of  deep 
meaning.  No  reply  was  made,  however,  and  after  a  short 
pause,  as  if  to  allow  time  for  his  words  to  make  a  proper 
impression,  the  veteran  continued: — 

' '  We  have  no  evidence,  I  understand,  that  you  are  in  the 
smallest  degree  connected  with  the  enemies  of  this  country  ; 
but  as  you  have  been  found  out  of  the  king's  highway,  or, 
rather,  on  a  by-path,  which  I  must  confess  is  frequently 
used  by  the  people  of  the  neighborhood,  but  which  is  never- 
theless nothing  but  a  by-path,  it  becomes  no  more  than 
what  self-preservation  requires  of  us,  to  ask  you  a  few  such 
questions  as  I  trust  will  be  satisfactorily  answered.  To  use 
your  own  nautical  phrases,  *  From  whence  came  ye,  pray  ?  ' 
and  '  Whither  are  ye  bound  ? '  " 

A  low,  deep  voice  replied, — 

"  From  Sunderland,  last,  and  bound,  overland,  to  White- 
haven." 

This  simple  and  direct  answer  was  hardly  given,  before 
the  attention  of  the  listeners  was  called  to  Alice  Dunscombe, 
who  uttered  a  faint  shriek,  and  rose  from  her  seat  involun- 
tarily, while  her  eyes  seemed  to  roll  fearfully,  and  perhaps 
a  little  wildly,  round  the  room. 

"  Are  you  ill,  Miss  Alice?  "  said  the  sweet,  soothing  tones 
of  Cecilia  Howard  ;  ' '  you  are,  indeed  you  are  :  lean  on  me, 
that  I  may  lead  you  to  your  apartment. ' ' 

Did  you  hear  it,  or  was  it  only  fancy?  "  she  answered, 
her  cheek  blanched  to  the  whiteness  of  death,  and  her 
whole  frame  shuddering  as  if  in  convulsions  ;  *  *  say,  did  you 
hear  it  too  ?  ' ' 

I  have  heard  nothing  but  the  voice  of  my  uncle,  who  is 
standing  near  you,  anxious,  as  we  all  are,  for  your  recovery 
from  this  dreadful  agitation." 

Alice  still  gazed  wildly  from  face  to  face.  Her  eye  did 
not  rest  satisfied  with  dwelling  on  those  who  surrounded 
her,  but  surveyed,  with  a  sort  of  frantic  eagerness,  the  figures 
and  appearance  of  the  three  men,  who  stood  in  humble 
patience,  the  silent  and  unmoved  witnesses  of  this  extraor- 
dinary scene.  At  length  she  veiled  her  eyes  with  both  her 
hands,  as  if  to  shut  out  some  horrid  vision,  and  then  remov- 


124 


XTbe  pilot 


ing  them,  slie  smiled  languidly,  as  she  signed  for  Cecilia  to 
assist  her  from  the  room.  To  the  polite  and  assiduous  offers 
of  the  gentlemen,  she  returned  no  other  thanks  than  those 
conveyed  in  her  looks  and  gestures  ;  but  when  the  sentinels 
who  paced  the  gallery  were  passed,  and  the  ladies  were  alone, 
she  breathed  a  long,  shivering  sigh,  and  found  an  utterance. 
"  'Twas  like  a  voice  from  the  silent  grave  !  "  she  said, 
but  it  could  be  no  more  than  mockery.  No,  no,  'tis  a  just 
punishment  for  letting  the  image  of  the  creature  fill  the 
place  that  should  be  occupied  only  with  the  Creator.  Ah  ! 
Miss  Howard,  Miss  Plowden,  ye  are  both  young — in  the  pride 
of  your  beauty  and  loveliness — but  little  do  ye  know,  and  less 
do  ye  dread,  the  temptations  and  errors  of  a  sinful  world." 

' '  Her  thoughts  wander, ' '  whispered  Katherine,  with 
anxious  tenderness  ;  ' '  some  awful  calamity  has  affected  her 
intellect!  " 

* '  Yes,  it  must  be ;  my  sinful  thoughts  have  wandered, 
and  conjured  sounds  that  it  would  have  been  dreadful  to 
hear  in  truth,  and  within  these  walls,"  said  Alice,  more 
composedly,  smiling  with  a  ghastly  expression,  as  she  gazed 
on  the  two  beautiful,  solicitous  maidens  who  supported  her 
yielding  person.  "  But  the  moment  of  weakness  is  passed, 
and  I  am  better  ;  aid  me  to  my  room,  and  return,  that  you 
may  not  interrupt  the  reviving  harmony  between  yourselves 
and  Colonel  Howard.  I  am  now  better — nay,  I  am  quite 
restored." 

*  *  Say  not  so,  dear  Miss  Alice, ' '  returned  Cecilia  ;  ' '  your 
face  denies  what  your  kindness  to  us  induces  you  to  utter  ; 
ill,  very  ill,  you  are,  nor  shall  even  your  own  commands 
induce  me  to  leave  you." 

Remain,  then,"  said  Miss  Dunscombe,  bestowing  a  look 
of  grateful  affection  on  her  lovely  supporter  ;  * '  and  while 
our  Katherine  returns  to  the  drawing-room,  to  give  the 
gentlemen  their  coffee,  you  shall  continue  with  me,  as  my 
gentle  nurse." 

By  this  time  they  had  gained  the  apartment,  and  Kath- 
erine, after  assisting  her  cousin  to  place  Alice  on  her  bed, 
returned  to  do  the  honors  of  the  drawing-room. 

Colonel  Howard  ceased  his  examination  of  the  prisoners 


Ubc  pilot 


"5 


at  her  entrance,  to  inquire,  with  courtly  solicitude,  after  the 
invalid ;  and  when  his  questions  were  answered,  he  again 
proceeded  as  follows: — 

"This  is  what  the  lads  would  call  plain  sailing,  Borrough- 
cliffe  :  they  are  out  of  employment  in  Sunderland,  and  have 
acquaintances  and  relatives  in  Whitehaven,  to  whom  they 
are  going  for  assistance  and  labor.  All  very  probable,  and 
perfectly  harmless. ' ' 

"Nothing  more  so,  my  respectable  host,"  returned  the 
jocund  soldier  ;  "  but  it  seemeth  a  grievous  misfortune  that 
a  trio  of  such  flesh  and  blood  should  need  work  wherewithal 
to  exercise  their  thews  and  sinews,  while  so  man}-  of  the 
vessels  of  his  majesty-' s  fleet  navigate  the  ocean  in  quest  of 
the  enemies  of  old  England. ' ' 

' '  There  is  truth  in  that ;  much  truth  in  your  remark, ' '  cried 
the  colonel.  "What  say  you,  my  lads,  will  you  fight  the 
Frenchmen  and  the  Don — ay,  and  even  my  own  rebellious  and 
infatuated  countr>'men  ?  Nay,  by  heaven,  it  is  not  a  trifle 
that  shall  prevent  his  majesty  from  possessing  the  ser\-ices 
of  three  such  heroes.  Here  are  five  guineas  apiece  for  ^-ou 
the  moment  that  you  put  foot  on  board  the  Alacrity-  cutter  ; 
and  that  can  easily  be  done,  as  she  lies  at  anchor  this  ver>' 
night,  only  two  short  leagues  to  the  south  of  this,  in  a 
small  port,  where  she  is  riding  out  the  gale  as  snugly  as  if 
she  were  in  a  comer  of  this  room." 

One  of  the  men  affected  to  gaze  at  the  money  with  longing 
eyes,  while  he  asked,  as  if  weighing  the  terms  of  the  engage- 
ment,— 

* '  Whether  the  Alacrity  was  called  a  good  sea-boat,  and 
was  thought  to  give  a  comfortable  berth  to  her  crew  ?  ' ' 

' '  Comfortable  ! ' '  echoed  Borroughcliffe  ;  ' '  for  that  matter, 
she  is  called  the  bravest  cutter  in  the  na\w.  You  have  seen 
much  of  the  world.  I  dare  say  ;  did  you  ever  see  such  a  place 
as  the  Marine  Arsenal  at  Carthagena,  in  old  Spain  ?  " 

"  Indeed  I  have,  sir,"  returned  the  seaman,  in  a  cool,  col- 
lected tone. 

"Ah  !  you  have  !  well,  did  you  ever  meet  with  a  house  in 
Paris  that  they  call  the  Tuileries  ?  because  it '  s  a  dog-kennel 
to  the  Alacrity." 


126 


Hbe  pilot 


"  I  have  even  fallen  in  with  the  place  you  mention,  sir," 
returned  the  sailor ;  ' '  and  must  own  the  berth  quite  good 
enough  for  such  as  I  am,  if  it  tallies  with  your  description." 

The  deuce  take  these  blue-jackets,"  muttered  Borrough- 
cliffe,  addressing  himself  unconsciously  to  Miss  Plowden, 
near  whom  he  happened  to  be  at  the  time  ;  * '  they  run  their 
tarry  countenances  into  all  the  corners  of  the  earth,  and 
abridge  a  man  most  lamentably  in  his  comparisons.  Now, 
who  the  devil  would  have  thought  that  fellow  had  ever  put 
his  sea-green  eyes  on  the  palace  of  King  Louis  ? ' ' 

Katherine  heeded  not  his  speech,  but  sat  eying  the  prisoners 
with  a  confused  and  wavering  expression  of  countenance, 
while  Colonel  Howard  renewed  the  discourse,  by  exclaim- 
ing— 

Come,  come,  Borroughcliffe,  let  us  give  the  lads  no  tales 
for  a  recruit,  but  good,  plain,  honest  English — God  bless 
the  language,  and  the  land  for  which  it  was  first  made,  too  ! 
There  is  no  necessity  to  tell  these  men,  if  they  are  what  they 
seem  to  be,  practical  seamen,  that  a  cutter  of  ten  guns  con- 
tains all  the  room  and  accommodation  of  a  palace." 

Do  you  allow  nothing  for  English  oak  and  English 
comfort,  mine  host  ?  ' '  said  the  immovable  captain  ;  "do  you 
think,  good  sir,  that  I  measure  fitness  and  propriety  by 
square  and  compass,  as  if  I  were  planning  Solomon's  temple 
anew  ?  All  I  mean  to  say  is,  that  the  Alacrity  is  a  vessel 
of  singular  compactness  and  magical  arrangement  of  room, 
lyike  the  tent  of  that  handsome  brother  of  the  fairy,  in  the 
Arabian  Nights,  she  is  big  or  she  is  little,  as  occasion  need- 
eth  ;  and  now,  hang  me,  if  I  don't  think  I  have  uttered 
more  in  her  favor  than  her  commander  would  say  to  help  me 
to  a  recruit,  though  no  lad  in  the  three  kingdoms  should  ap- 
pear willing  to  try  how  a  scarlet  coat  would  suit  his  boorish 
figure." 

' '  That  time  has  not  yet  arrived,  and  God  forbid  that  it 
ever  should,  while  the  monarch  needs  a  soldier  in  the  field 
to  protect  his  rights.  But  what  say  ye,  my  men  ?  you  have 
heard  the  recommendation  that  Captain  Borroughcliffe  has 
given  of  the  Alacrity,  which  is  altogether  true — after  mak- 
ing some  allowances  for  language.    Will  ye  serve  ?  shall  I 


ZTbe  pilot 


127 


order  you  a  cheering  glass  a  man,  and  lay  by  the  gold,  till  I 
hear  from  the  cutter  that  you  are  enrolled  under  the  banners 
of  the  best  of  kings  ?  ' ' 

Katherine  Plowden,  who  hardly  seemed  to  breathe,  so  close 
and  intent  was  the  interest  with  which  she  regarded  the  sea- 
men, fancied  she  observed  lurking  smiles  on  their  faces  ;  but 
if  her  conjectures  were  true,  their  disposition  to  be  merry 
went  no  further,  and  the  one  who  had  spoken  hitherto, 
replied  in  the  same  calm  manner  as  before, — 

' '  You  will  excuse  us,  if  we  decline  shipping  in  the  cutter, 
sir ;  we  are  used  to  distant  voyages  and  large  vessels, 
whereas  the  Alacrity  is  kept  at  coast  duty,  and  is  not  of  a 
size  to  lay  herself  alongside  of  a  Don  or  a  Frenchman  with  a 
double  row  of  teeth." 

* '  If  you  prefer  that  sort  of  sport,  you  must  to  the  right- 
about for  Yarmouth  ;  there  you  will  find  ships  that  will 
meet  anything  that  swims,"  said  the  colonel. 

*  *  Perhaps  the  gentlemen  would  prefer  abandoning  the 
cares  and  dangers  of  the  ocean  for  a  life  of  ease  and  gayety," 
said  the  captain.  "  The  hand  that  has  long  dallied  with  a 
marlinspike  may  be  easily  made  to  feel  a  trigger,  as  grace- 
fully as  a  lady  touches  the  keys  of  her  piano.  In  short, 
there  is  and  there  is  not  a  great  resemblance  between  the 
life  of  a  sailor,  and  that  of  a  soldier.  There  are  no  gales  of 
wind,  nor  short  allowances,  nor  reefing  topsails,  nor  ship- 
wrecks, among  soldiers  ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  there  is  just 
as  much,  or  even  more,  grog-drinking,  jollifying,  care-kill- 
ing fun  around  a  canteen  and  an  open  knapsack,  than  there 
is  on  the  end  of  a  mess-chest,  with  a  full  can  and  a  Saturday 
night's  breeze.  I  have  crossed  the  ocean  several  times,  and 
I  must  own  that  a  ship,  in  good  weather,  is  very  much  the 
same  as  a  camp  or  comfortable  barracks  ;  mind,  I  say  only 
in  very  good  weather." 

* '  We  have  no  doubt  that  all  you  say  is  true,  sir, ' '  ob- 
served the  spokesman  of  the  three  ;  ' '  but  what  to  you  may 
seem  a  hardship,  to  us  is  pleasure.  We  have  faced  too 
many  a  gale  to  mind  a  capful  of  wind,  and  should  think  our- 
selves always  in  the  calm  latitudes  in  one  of  your  barracks, 
where  there  is  nothing  to  do  but  eat  our  grub,  and  to  march 


128 


XTbe  pilot 


a  little  fore  and  aft  a  small  piece  of  green  earth.  We  hardly 
know  one  end  of  a  musket  from  the  other." 

' '  No  !  ' '  said  Borroughcliffe,  musing  ;  and  then  advancing 
with  a  quick  step  towards  them,  he  cried,  in  a  spirited  man- 
ner, ' '  Attention  !  right !  dress  !  ' ' 

The  speaker,  and  the  seaman  next  him,  gazed  at  the  cap^ 
tain  in  silent  wonder  ;  but  the  third  individual  of  the  party, 
who  had  drawn  himself  a  little  aside,  as  if  willing  to  be 
unnoticed,  or  perhaps  pondering  on  his  condition,  involun- 
tarily started  at  this  unexpected  order,  and  erecting  himself, 
threw  his  head  to  the  right  as  promptly  as  if  he  had  been  on 
a  parade-ground. 

"  Oho  !  ye  are  apt  scholars,  gentlemen,  and  ye  can  learn, 
I  see, ' '  continued  Borroughcliffe.  * '  I  feel  it  to  be  proper 
that  I  detain  these  men  till  to-morrow  morning.  Colonel 
Howard ;  and  yet  I  would  give  them  better  quarters  than 
the  hard  benches  of  the  guard-room. ' ' 

* '  Act  your  pleasure,  Captain  Borroughcliffe, ' '  returned  the 
host,  * '  so  you  do  but  your  duty  to  our  royal  master.  They 
shall  not  want  for  cheer,  and  they  can  have  a  room  over  the 
servants'  offices  in  the  south  side  of  the  Abbey." 

* '  Three  rooms,  my  colonel,  three  rooms  must  be  provided, 
though  I  give  up  my  own." 

' '  There  are  several  small  empty  apartments  there,  where 
blankets  might  be  taken,  and  the  men  placed  for  safe-keep- 
ing, if  you  deem  it  necessary  ;  though,  to  me,  they  seem  like 
good,  loyal  tars,  whose  greatest  glory  it  would  be  to  serve 
their  prince,  and  whose  chief  pleasure  wordd  consist  in  get- 
ting alongside  of  a  Don  or  a  Monsieur." 

"We  shall  discuss  these  matters  anon,"  said  Borrough- 
cliffe, dryly.  "  I  see  Miss  Plowden  begins  to  look  grave  at 
our  abusing  her  patience  so  long,  and  I  know  that  cold 
coffee  is,  like  withered  love,  but  a  tasteless  sort  of  a  bever- 
age. Come,  gentlemen,  en  avant !  you  have  seen  the  Tuile- 
ries,  and  must  have  heard  a  little  French.  Mr.  Christopher 
Dillon,  know  you  where  these  three  small  apartments  are 
'  situate,  lying,  and  being, '  as  your  parchments  read  ?  ' ' 

*  *  I  do,  sir, ' '  said  the  complying  lawyer,  * '  and  shall  take 
much  pleasure  in  guiding  you  to  them.    I  think  your  decis- 


XTbe  pilot 


129 


ion  that  of  a  prudent  and  sagacious  officer,  and  much  doubt 
whether  Durham  Castle,  or  some  other  fortress,  will  be 
thought  too  big  to  hold  them,  ere  long." 

As  this  speech  was  uttered  while  the  men  were  passing 
from  the  room,  its  eflfect  on  them  was  unnoticed ;  but 
Katherine  Plowden,  who  was  left  for  a  few  moments  by 
herself,  sat  and  pondered  over  what  she  had  seen  and  heard, 
with  a  thoughtfulness  of  manner  that  was  not  usual  to  her 
gay  and  buoyant  spirits.  The  sounds  of  the  retiring  foot- 
steps, however,  gradually  grew  fainter,  and  the  return  of  her 
guardian  alone  recalled  the  recollection  of  the  young  lady  to 
the  duties  of  her  situation. 

While  engaged  in  the  little  offices  of  the  tea-table,  Kath- 
erine threw  many  furtive  glances  at  the  veteran ;  but, 
although  he  seemed  to  be  musing,  there  was  nothing  aus- 
tere or  suspicious  in  his  frank,  open  countenance. 

* '  There  is  much  useless  trouble  taken  with  these  wander- 
ing seamen,  sir,"  said  Katherine,  at  length  ;  "  it  seems  to 
be  the  particular  province  of  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon  to  make 
all  that  come  in  contact  with  him  excessively  uncomfort- 
able." 

' '  And  what  has  Kit  to  do  with  the  detention  of  the  men  ?  ' ' 

"What !  why,  has  he  not  undertaken  to  stand  godfather 
to  their  prisons? — by  a  woman's  patience,  I  think,  Colonel 
Howard,  this  business  will  gain  a  pretty  addition  to  the  names 
of  St.  Ruth.  It  is  already  called  a  house,  an  abbey,  a  place, 
and  by  some  a  castle ;  let  Mr.  Dillon  have  his  way  for  a 
month,  audit  will  add  jail  to  the  number." 

'  *  Kit  is  not  so  happy  as  to  possess  the  favor  of  Miss  Plow- 
den !  but  still  Kit  is  a  worthy  fellow,  and  a  good  fellow,  and 
a  sensible  fellow  ;  ay  !  and  what  is  of  more  value  than  all 
these  put  together.  Miss  Katherine,  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon 
is  a  faithful  and  loyal  subject  to  his  prince.  His  mother  was 
my  cousin-german  ,  madam,  and  I  cannot  say  how  soon  I 
I  may  call  him  my  nephew.  The  Dillons  are  of  good  Irish 
extraction,  and  I  believe  that  even  Miss  Plowden  will  admit 
that  the  Howards  have  some  pretensions  to  a  name." 

* '  Ah  !  it  is  those  very  things  called  names  that  I  most 

allude  to,"  said  Katherine,  quickly.    *'But  an  hour  since 
9 


tibe  pilot 


you  were  indignant,  my  dear  guardian,  because  you  sus« 
pected  that  I  insinuated  you  ought  to  write  jailer  behind  the 
name  of  Howard,  and  even  now  you  submit  to  have  the 
office  palmed  upon  you." 

"You  forget.  Miss  Katherine  Plowden,  that  it  is  the 
pleasure  of  one  of  his  majesty's  officers  to  detain  these  men.*' 

"  But  I  thought  that  the  glorious  British  constitution, 
which  you  so  often  mention, "  interrupted  the  young  lady, 
spiritedly,  ' '  gives  liberty  to  all  who  touch  these  blessed 
shores  ;  you  know,  sir,  out  of  twenty  blacks  that  you 
brought  with  you,  how  few  remain  ;  the  rest  having  fled  on 
the  wings  of  the  spirit  of  British  liberty  !  ' ' 

This  was  touching  a  festering  sore  in  the  colonel's  feel- 
ings, and  his  provoking  ward  well  knew  the  effects  her  ob- 
servation was  likely  to  produce.  Her  guardian  did  not  break 
forth  in  a  violent  burst  of  rage,  or  furnish  those  manifesta- 
tions of  his  ire  that  he  was  wont  to  do  on  less  important 
subjects ;  but  he  arose,  with  all  his  dignity  concentred  in 
a  look,  and,  after  making  a  violent  effort  to  restrain  his 
feelings  within  the  bounds  necessary  to  preserve  the  decorum 
of  his  exit,  he  ventured  a  reply. 

"That  the  British  constitution  is  glorious,  madam,  is 
most  true.  That  this  island  is  the  sole  refuge  where  liberty 
has  been  able  to  find  a  home,  is  also  true.  The  tyranny 
and  oppression  of  the  Congress,  which  are  grinding  down 
the  colonies  to  the  powder  of  desolation  and  poverty,  are 
not  worthy  the  sacred  name.  Rebellion  pollutes  all  that  it 
touches,  madam.  Although  it  often  commences  under  the 
sanction  of  holy  liberty,  it  ever  terminates  in  despotism. 
The  annals  of  the  world,  from  the  time  of  the  Greeks  and 
Romans  down  to  the  present  day,  abundantly  prove  it. 
There  was  that  Julius  Caesar — he  was  one  of  your  people's 
men,  and  he  ended  a  tyrant.  Oliver  Cromwell  was  another 
— a  rebel,  a  demagogue,  and  a  tyrant.  The  gradations, 
madam,  are  as  inevitable  as  from  childhood  to  youth,  and 
from  youth  to  age.  As  for  the  little  affair  that  you  have 
been  pleased  to  mention,  of  the — of  the — of  my  private  con- 
cerns, I  can  only  say  that  the  affairs  of  nations  are  not  to  be 
judged  of  by  domestic  incidents,  any  more  than  domestic 


Ube  pilot 


occurrences  are  to  be  judged  of  by  national  politics."  The 
colonel,  like  many  a  better  logician,  mistook  his  antithesis 
for  argument,  and  paused  a  moment  to  admire  his  own  elo- 
quence ;  but  the  current  of  his  thoughts,  which  always 
flowed  in  torrents  on  this  subject,  swept  him  along  in  its 
course,  and  he  continued:  "Yes,  madam,  here,  and  here 
alone,  is  true  liberty  to  be  found.  With  this  solemn  assev- 
eration, which  is  not  lightly  made,  but  which  is  the  result 
of  sixty  years'  experience,  I  leave  you.  Miss  Plowden ;  let 
it  be  a  subject  of  deep  reflection  with  you,  for  I  too  well  un- 
derstand your  treacherous  feelings  not  to  know  that  your 
political  errors  encourage  your  personal  foibles  ;  reflect,  for 
your  own  sake,  if  you  love  not  only  your  own  happiness, 
but  your  respectability  and  standing  in  the  world.  As  for 
the  black  hounds  that  you  spoke  of,  they  are  a  set  of  rebel- 
lious, mutinous,  ungrateful  rascals  ;  and  if  ever  I  meet  one 
of  the  damned — ' ' 

The  colonel  had  so  far  controlled  his  feelings,  as  to  leave 
the  presence  of  the  lady  before  he  broke  out  into  the  bitter 
invectives  we  have  recorded,  and  Katherine  stood  a  minute, 
pressing  her  forefinger  on  her  lips,  listening  to  his  voice  as 
it  grumbled  along  the  gallery,  until  the  sounds  were  finally 
excluded  by  the  closing  of  a  distant  door.  The  wilful  girl 
then  shook  her  dark  locks,  and  a  smile  of  arch  mischief 
blended  with  an  expression  of  regret  in  her  countenance,  as 
she  spoke  to  herself,  while  with  hurried  hands  she  threw  her 
tea  equipage  aside  in  a  confused  pile  : — 

' '  It  was  perhaps  a  cruel  experiment,  but  it  has  succeeded. 
Though  prisoners  ourselves,  we  are  at  least  left  free  for  the 
remainder  of  this  night.  These  mysterious  sailors  must  be 
examined  more  closely.  If  the  proud  eye  of  Edward  Grif- 
fith was  not  glaring  under  the  black  wig  of  one  of  them,  I 
am  no  judge  of  features  ;  and  where  has  Master  Barnstable 
concealed  his  charming  visage  !  for  neither  of  the  others 
could  be  he.    But  now  for  Cecilia." 

Her  light  form  glided  from  the  room,  while  she  was  yet 
speaking  ;  and  flitting  along  the  dimly  lighted  passages,  it 
disappeared  in  one  of  those  turnings  that  led  to  the  more 
secret  apartments  of  the  Abbey. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


"How!  Lucia,  wouldst  thou  have  me  sink  away 
In  pleasing  dreams,  and  lose  myself  in  love  ? 

Cato. 

THK  reader  must  not  imagine  that  the  world  stood 
still  during  the  occurrence  of  the  scenes  we  have 
related.  By  the  time  the  three  seamen  were 
placed  in  as  many  different  rooms,  and  a  sentinel 
was  stationed  in  the  gallery  common  to  them  all,  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  keep  an  eye  on  his  whole  charge  at  once,  the 
hour  had  run  deep  into  the  night.  Captain  BorroughclifFe 
obeyed  a  summons  from  the  colonel,  who  made  him  an  eva- 
sive apology  for  the  change  in  their  evening's  amusement, 
and  challenged  his  guest  to  a  renewal  of  the  attack  on  the 
Madeira.  This  was  too  grateful  a  theme  to  be  lightly  dis- 
cussed by  the  captain  ;  and  the  Abbey  clock  had  given  forth 
as  many  of  its  mournful  remonstances  as  the  division  of  the 
hours  would  permit,  before  they  separated.  In  the  mean- 
time, Mr.  Dillon  became  invisible  ;  though  a  servant,  when 
questioned  by  the  host  on  the  subject,  announced,  that  he 

believed  Mr.  Christopher  had  chosen  to  ride  over  to  ,  to 

be  in  readiness  to  join  the  hunt,  on  the  morning,  with  the 
dawn."  While  the  gentlemen  were  thus  indulging  them- 
selves in  the  dining-parlor,  and  laughing  over  the  tales  of 
other  times  and  hard  campaigns,  two  very  different  scenes 
occurred  in  other  parts  of  the  building. 

When  the  quiet  of  the  Abbey  was  only  interrupted  by  the 
howling  of  the  wind,  or  by  the  loud  and  prolonged  laughs 
which  echoed  through  the  passages  from  the  joyous  pair 
who  were  thus  comfortably  established  by  the  side  of  the 


Zbc  pilot 


133 


bottle,  a  door  was  gently  opened  on  one  of  the  galleries 
of  the  cloisters,  and  Katherine  Plowden  issued  from  it, 
wrapped  in  a  close  mantle,  and  holding  in  her  hand  a  cham- 
ber lamp,  which  threw  its  dim  light  faintly  along  the  gloomy 
walls  in  front,  leaving  all  behind  her  obscured  in  darkness. 
She  was,  however,  soon  followed  by  two  other  female  fig- 
ures, clad  in  the  same  manner,  and  provided  with  similar 
lights.  When  all  were  in  the  gallery,  Katherine  drew  the 
door  softly  to,  and  proceeded  in  front  to  lead  the  way. 

"Hist !  "  said  the  low,  tremulous  voice  of  Cecilia,  they 
are  yet  up  in  the  other  parts  of  the  house  ;  and  if  it  be  as 
you  suspect,  our  visit  would  betray  them,  and  prove  the 
means  of  their  certain  destruction." 

' '  Is  the  laugh  of  Colonel  Howard  in  his  cups  so  singular 
and  unknown  to  your  ear,  Cecilia,  that  you  know  it  not  ? ' ' 
said  Katherine,  with  a  little  spirit ;  or  do  you  forget  that 
on  such  occasions  he  seldom  leaves  himself  ears  to  hear,  or 
eyes  to  see  with  ?  But  follow  me ;  it  is  as  I  suspect — it 
must  be  as  I  suspect ;  and  unless  we  do  something  to  rescue 
them,  they  are  lost,  unless  they  have  laid  a  deeper  scheme 
than  is  apparent. ' ' 

'*It  is  a  dangerous  road  ye  both  journey,"  added  the 
placid  tones  of  Alice  Dunscombe  ;  ' '  but  ye  are  young,  and 
ye  are  credulous." 

If  you  disapprove  of  our  visit,"  said  Cecilia,  "  it  cannot 
be  right,  and  we  had  better  return." 

* '  No,  no ;  I  have  said  naught  to  disapprove  of  your 
present  errand.  If  God  has  put  the  lives  of  those  in  your 
custody  whom  ye  have  taught  yourselves  to  look  up  to  with 
love  and  reverence,  such  as  woman  is  bound  to  yield  to  one 
man.  He  has  done  it  for  no  idle  purpose.  I^ead  us  to  their 
doors,  Katherine  ;  let  us  relieve  our  doubts,  at  least. ' ' 

The  ardent  girl  did  not  wait  for  a  second  bidding,  but  she 
led  them,  with  light  and  quick  steps,  along  the  gallery,  until 
they  reached  its  termination,  where  they  descended  to  the 
basement  floor  by  a  flight  of  narrow  steps  ;  and  carefully 
opening  a  small  door,  emerged  into  the  open  air.  They 
now  stood  on  a  small  plat  of  grass,  which  lay  between  th^ 
building  and  the  ornamental  garden,  across  which  they 


'34 


XTbe  pilot 


moved  rapidly,  concealing  their  lights,  and  bending  theii 
shrinking  forms  before  the  shivering  blasts  that  poured  their 
fury  upon  them  from  the  ocean.  They  soon  reached  a  large 
but  rough  addition  to  the  buildings,  that  concealed  its  plain 
architecture  behind  the  more  labored  and  highly-finished 
parts  of  the  edifice,  into  which  they  entered  through  a 
massive  door  that  stood  ajar,  as  if  to  admit  them. 

"  Chloe  has  been  true  to  my  orders,"  whispered  Kather- 
ine,  as  they  passed  out  of  the  chilling  air  ;  "  now,  if  all  the 
servants  are  asleep,  our  chance  to  escape  unnoticed  amounts 
to  certainty." 

It  became  necessary  to  go  through  the  servants'  hall 
which  they  effected  unobserved,  as  it  had  but  one  occupant, 
an  aged  black  man,  who,  being  posted  with  his  ear  within 
two  feet  of  a  bell,  in  this  attitude  had  committed  himself  to 
a  deep  sleep.  Gliding  through  this  hall,  they  entered  divers 
long  and  intricate  passages,  all  of  which  seemed  as  familiar 
to  Katherine  as  they  were  unknown  to  her  companions, 
until  they  reached  another  flight  of  steps,  which  they 
ascended.  They  were  now  near  their  goal,  and  stopped  to 
examine  whether  any  or  what  difficulties  were  likely  to  be 
opposed  to  their  further  progress. 

"Now,  indeed,  our  case  seems  hopeless,"  whispered 
Katherine,  as  they  stood,  concealed  by  the  darkness,  in  one 
end  of  an  extremely  long  narrow  passage  ;  ' '  here  is  the 
sentinel  in  the  building,  instead  of  being,  as  I  supposed, 
under  the  windows  ;  what  is  to  be  done  now  ? ' ' 

"  Let  us  return,"  said  Cecilia,  in  the  same  manner  ;  "my 
influence  with  my  uncle  is  great,  even  though  he  seems 
unkind  to  us  at  times.  In  the  morning  I  will  use  it  to  per- 
suade him  to  free  them,  on  receiving  their  promise  to 
abandon  all  such  attempts  in  future." 

' '  In  the  morning  it  will  be  too  late, ' '  returned  Katherine  ; 
"  I  saw  that  demon.  Kit  Dillon,  mount  his  horse,  under  the 
pretence  of  riding  to  the  great  hunt  of  to-morrow,  but  I 
know  his  malicious  eye  too  well  to  be  deceived  in  his  errand. 
He  is  silent  that  he  may  be  sure  ;  and  if  to-morrow  comes, 
and  finds  Griffith  within  these  walls,  he  will  be  condemned 
to  a  scaffold." 


XTbe  iptlot 


»35 


"Say  no  more,"  said  Alice  Dunscombe,  with  singular 
emotion  ;  ' '  some  lucky  circumstance  may  aid  us  with  this 
sentinel ! ' ' 

As  she  spoke,  she  advanced :  they  had  not  proceeded  far 
before  the  stem  voice  of  the  soldier  challenged  the  party. 

'''Tis  no  time  to  hesitate,"  whispered  Katherine :  "we 
are  the  ladies  of  the  Abbey,  looking  to  our  domestic  affairs," 
she  continued,  aloud,  "  and  think  it  a  little  remarkable  that 
we  are  to  encounter  armed  men,  while  going  through  our 
own  dwelling." 

The  soldier  respectfully  presented  his  musket,  and  re- 
plied,— 

' '  My  orders  are  to  guard  the  doors  of  these  three  rooms, 
ladies  ;  we  have  prisoners  in  them,  and  as  for  anything  else, 
my  duty  will  be  to  serve  you  all  in  my  power. ' ' 

* '  Prisoners  ! ' '  exclaimed  Katherine,  in  affected  surprise  ; 
"does  Captain  Borroughcliflfe  make  St.  Ruth's  Abbey  a 
jail !    Of  what  offences  are  the  poor  men  guilty  ?  ' ' 

* '  I  know  not,  my  lady  ;  but,  as  they  are  sailors,  I  suppose 
they  have  run  from  his  majesty's  service." 

"This  is  singular,  truly  !  and  why  are  they  not  sent  to 
the  county  prison  ?  ' ' 

"This  must  be  examined  into,"  said  Cecilia,  dropping 
the  mantle  from  before  her  face.  * '  As  mistress  of  this  house, 
I  claim  a  right  to  know  whom  its  walls  contain  ;  you  will 
oblige  me  by  opening  the  doors,  for  I  see  you  have  the  keys 
suspended  from  your  belt. ' ' 

The  sentinel  hesitated.  He  was  greatly  awed  by  the 
presence  and  beauty  of  the  speakers,  but  a  still  voice 
reminded  him  of  his  duty.  A  lucky  thought,  however, 
interposed  to  relieve  him  of  his  dilemma,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  comply  with  the  request,  or  rather  order,  of  the  lady. 
As  he  handed  her  the  keys,  he  said, — 

"Here  they  are,  my  lady;  my  orders  are  to  keep  the 
prisoners  in,  not  to  keep  any  one  out.  When  you  are  done 
with  them,  you  will  please  return  them  to  me,  if  it  be  only 
to  save  a  poor  fellow's  eye  ;  for  unless  the  door  is  kept 
locked,  I  shall  not  dare  to  look  about  me  for  a  moment. ' ' 

Cecilia  promised  to  return  the  keys,  and  she  had  applied 


136 


XTbe  pilot 


one  of  them  to  a  lock  with  a  trembling  hand,  when  Alice 

Dunscombe  arrested  her  arm,  and  addressed  the  soldier. 
' '  Say  you  there  are  three  ? — are  they  men  in  years  ?  ' ' 
"  No,  my  lady,  all  good  serviceable  lads,  who  could  n't  do 

better  than  to  serve  his  majesty,  or,  as  it  may  prove,  worse 

than  to  run  from  their  colors." 

''But  are  their  years  and  appearance  similar?     I  ask, 

for  I  have  a  friend  who  has  been  guilty  of  some  boyish 

tricks,  and  has  tried  the  seas,  I  hear,  among  other  foolish 

hazards. ' ' 

''There  is  no  boy  here.  In  the  far  room  on  the  left  is  a 
smart,  soldier-looking  chap,  of  about  thirty,  who  the  captain 
thinks  has  carried  a  musket  before  now ;  on  him  I  am 
charged  to  keep  a  particular  eye.  Next  to  him  is  as  pretty 
a  looking  youth  as  eyes  could  wish  to  see,  and  it  makes  one 
feel  mournful  to  think  what  he  must  come  to,  if  he  has 
really  deserted  his  ship.  In  the  room  near  you,  is  a  smaller, 
quiet  little  body,  who  might  make  a  better  preacher  than  a 
sailor,  or  a  soldier  either,  he  has  such  a  gentle  way  with 
him." 

Alice  covered  her  eyes  with  her  hand  a  moment,  and  then 
recovering  herself,  proceeded  :  — 

' '  Gentleness  may  do  more  with  the  unfortunate  men  than 
fear  ;  here  is  a  guinea  ;  withdraw  to  the  far  end  of  the  pas- 
sage, where  you  can  watch  them  as  well  as  here,  while  we 
enter,  and  endeavor  to  make  them  confess  who  and  what 
they  really  are." 

The  soldier  took  the  money,  and  after  looking  about  him 
in  a  little  uncertainty,  he  at  length  complied,  as  it  was 
obviously  true  they  could  only  escape  by  passing  him,  near 
the  flight  of  steps.  When  he  was  beyond  hearing,  Alice 
Dunscombe  turned  to  her  companions,  and  a  slight  glow 
appeared  in  feverish  spots  on  her  cheeks,  as  she  addressed 
them :  — 

"It  would  be  idle  to  attempt  to  hide  from  you,  that  I 
expect  to  meet  the  individual  whose  voice  I  must  have 
heard  in  reality  to-night,  instead  of  only  imaginary  sounds, 
as  I  vainly,  if  not  wickedly,  supposed.  I  have  many  rea- 
sons for  changing  my  opinion,  the  chief  of  which  is,  that  he 


Ube  pilot 


137 


is  leagued  with  the  rebellious  Americans  in  this  unnatural 
war.  Nay,  chide  me  not,  Miss  Plowden  ;  you  will  remem- 
ber that  I  found  my  being  on  this  island.  I  come  here  on 
no  vain  or  weak  errand,  Miss  Howard,  but  to  spare  human 
blood."  She  paused,  as  if  struggling  to  speak  calmly. 
"  But  no  one  can  witness  the  interview  except  our  God." 

*'Go,  then,"  said  Katherine,  secretly  rejoicing  at  her  de- 
termination, ''while  we  inquire  into  the  characters  of  the 
others." 

Alice  Dunscombe  turned  the  key ;  and  gently  opening 
the  door,  she  desired  her  companions  to  tap  for  her,  as  they 
returned,  and  then  instantly  disappeared  in  the  apartment. 

Cecilia  and  her  cousin  proceeded  to  the  next  door,  which 
they  opened  in  silence,  and  entered  cautiously  into  the  room. 
Katherine  Plowden  had  so  far  examined  into  the  arrange- 
ments of  Colonel  Howard,  as  to  know  that  at  the  same  time 
he  had  ordered  blankets  to  be  provided  for  the  prisoners,  he 
had  not  thought  it  necessary  to  administer  any  further  to 
the  accommodations  of  men  who  had  apparently  made  their 
beds  and  pillows  of  planks  for  the  greater  part  of  their  lives. 

The  ladies  accordingly  found  the  youthful  sailor  whom 
they  sought,  with  his  body  rolled  in  the  shaggy  covering, 
extended  at  his  length  along  the  naked  boards,  and  buried 
in  a  deep  sleep.  So  timid  were  the  steps  of  his  visitors, 
and  so  noiseless  was  their  entrance,  that  they  approached 
even  to  his  side  without  disturbing  his  slumbers.  The  head 
of  the  prisoner  lay  rudely  pillowed  on  a  billet  of  wood,  one 
hand  protecting  his  face  from  its  rough  surface,  and  the 
other  thrust  into  his  bosom,  where  it  rested,  with  a  relaxed 
grasp,  on  the  handle  of  a  dirk.  Although  he  slept,  and 
that  heavily,  yet  his  rest  was  unnatural  and  perturbed.  His 
breathing  was  hard  and  quick,  and  something  like  the  low, 
rapid  murmurings  of  a  confused  utterance  mingled  with  his 
respiration.  The  moment  had  now  arrived  when  the  char- 
acter of  Cecilia  Howard  appeared  to  undergo  an  entire 
change.  Hitherto  she  had  been  led  by  her  cousin,  whose 
activity  and  enterprise  seemed  to  qualify  her  so  well  for  the 
office  of  guide ;  but  now  she  advanced  before  Katherine, 
^nd,  extending  her  lamp  in  such  a  manner  as  to  throw  the 


tlbe  pilot 


light  across  the  face  of  the  sleeper,  she  bent  to  examine  his 
countenance,  with  keen  and  anxious  eyes. 

' '  Am  I  right  ? ' '  whispered  her  cousin. 

"  May  God,  in  his  infinite  compassion,  pity  and  protect 
him!"  murmured  Cecilia,  her  whole  frame  involuntarily 
shuddering,  as  the  conviction  that  she  beheld  Griffith  flashed 
across  her  mind.  "  Yes,  Katherine,  it  is  he,  and  presump- 
tuous madness  has  driven  him  here.  But  time  presses  ;  he 
must  be  awakened,  and  his  escape  effected  at  every  hazard." 

"Nay,  then,  delay  no  longer,  but  rouse  him  from  his 
sleep. ' ' 

"Griffith!  Edward  Griffith!"  said  the  soft  tones  of 
Cecilia;  "Griffith,  awake!" 

' '  Your  call  is  useless,  for  they  sleep  nightly  among  tem- 
pests and  boisterous  sounds,"  said  Katherine  ;  "  but  I  have 
heard  it  said  that  the  smallest  touch  will  generally  cause 
one  of  them  to  stir. ' ' 

*  *  Griffith  ! ' '  repeated  Cecilia,  laying  her  fair  hand  timidly 
on  his  own. 

The  flash  of  lightning  is  not  more  nimble  than  the  leap 
that  the  young  man  made  to  his  feet,  which  he  no  sooner 
gained,  than  his  dirk  gleamed  in  the  light  of  the  lamps,  as 
he  brandished  it  fiercely  with  one  hand,  while  with  the 
other  he  extended  a  pistol,  in  a  menacing  attitude,  towards 
his  disturbers. 

'  *  Stand  back  !  "  he  exclaimed  ;  "I  am  your  prisoner  only 
as  a  corpse  ! ' ' 

The  fierceness  of  his  front,  and  the  glaring  eyeballs,  that 
rolled  wildly  around  him,  appalled  Cecilia,  who  shrank  back 
in  fear,  dropping  her  mantle  from  her  person,  but  still  keep- 
ing her  mild  eyes  fastened  on  his  countenance  with  a  con- 
fiding gaze,  that  contradicted  her  shrinking  attitude,  as  she 
replied, — 

'  *  Edward,  it  is  I — Cecilia  Howard,  come  to  save  you 
from  destruction ;  you  are  known  even  through  your  in- 
genious disguise." 

The  pistol  and  the  dirk  fell  together  on  the  blanket  of 
the  young  sailor,  whose  face  instantly  lost  its  disturbed 
Expression  in  a  glow  of  pleasure. 


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139 


** Fortune  at  length  favors  me!"  he  cried.  "This  is 
kind,  Cecilia ;  more  than  I  deserve,  and  much  more  than  I 
expected.    But  you  are  not  alone. ' ' 

"  'T  is  my  cousin  Kate  ;  to  her  piercing  eyes  you  owe  your 
detection,  and  she  has  kindly  consented  to  accompany  me, 
that  we  might  urge  you  to — nay,  that  we  might,  if  neces- 
sary, assist  you  to  fly.  For 't  is  cruel  folly,  Griffith,  thus  to 
tempt  your  fate." 

''Have  I  tempted  it,  then,  in  vain!  Miss  Plowden,  to 
you  I  must  appeal  for  an  answer  and  a  justification." 

Katherine  looked  displeased;  but  after  a  moment's  hesi- 
tation, she  replied, — 

'' Your  servant,  Mr.  Griffith  ;  I  perceive  that  the  erudite 
Captain  Barnstable  has  not  only  succeeded  in  spelling 
through  my  scrawl,  but  he  has  also  given  it  to  all  hands  for 
perusal." 

"  Now  you  do  both  him  and  me  injustice,"  said  Griffith  ; 
'  *  It  surely  was  not  treachery  to  show  me  a  plan  in  which  I 
was  to  be  a  principal  actor. ' ' 

* '  Ah  !  doubtless  your  excuses  are  as  obedient  to  your  calls 
as  your  men,"  returned  the  young  lady  ;  "  but  how  comes  it 
that  the  hero  of  the  Ariel  sends  a  deputy  to  perform  a  duty 
that  is  so  peculiarly  his  own  ?  is  he  wont  to  be  second  in 
rescues  ? ' ' 

* '  Heaven  forbid  that  you  should  think  so  meanly  of  him 
for  a  moment !  We  owe  you  much.  Miss  Plowden  ;  but  we 
may  have  other  duties.  You  know  that  we  serve  our  com- 
mon country,  and  have  a  superior  with  us,  whose  beck  is  our 
law. ' ' 

"  Return,  then,  Mr.  Griffith,  while  you  may,  to  the  ser- 
vice of  our  bleeding  country,"  said  Cecilia  ;  "  and,  after  the 
joint  efforts  of  her  brave  children  have  expelled  the  intrud- 
ers from  her  soil,  let  us  hope  there  shall  come  a  time  w^hen 
Katherine  and  n^self  ma}^  be  restored  to  our  native  homes. ' ' 

"Think  you,  Miss  Howard,  to  how  long  a  period  the 
mighty  arm  of  the  British  king  may  extend  that  time  ?  We 
shall  prevail  ;  a  nation  fighting  for  its  dearest  rights  must 
ever  prevail ;  but  't  is  not  the  work  of  a  day,  for  a  people, 
poor,  scattered,  and  impoverished  as  we  have  been,  to  beat 


14© 


Ubc  mot 


down  a  power  like  that  of  England  ;  surely  you  forget,  that 
in  bidding  me  to  leave  you  with  such  expectations,  Miss 
Howard,  you  doom  me  to  an  almost  hopeless  banishment !  " 

' '  We  must  trust  to  the  will  of  God, ' '  said  Cecilia  ;  "  if  He 
ordain  that  America  is  to  be  free  only  after  protracted  suf- 
ferings, I  can  aid  her  but  with  my  prayers  ;  but  you  have  an 
arm  and  an  experience,  Griffith,  that  might  do  her  better 
service ;  waste  not  your  usefulness,  then,  in  visionary 
schemes  for  private  happiness,  but  seize  the  moments  as  they 
offer,  and  return  to  your  ship,  if  indeed  it  is  yet  in  safety, 
and  endeavor  to  forget  this  mad  undertaking,  and,  for  a 
time,  the  being  who  has  led  you  to  the  adventure." 

* '  This  is  a  reception  that  I  had  not  anticipated, ' '  returned 
Griffith  ;  for  though  accident,  and  not  intention,  has  thrown 
me  into  your  presence  this  evening,  I  did  hope  that  when  I 
again  saw  the  frigate,  it  would  be  in  your  company,  Cecilia." 

"You  cannot  justly  reproach  me,  Mr.  Griffith,  with  your 
disappointment ;  for  I  have  not  uttered  or  authorized  a  syl- 
lable that  could  induce  you  or  any  one  to  believe  that  I  wordd 
consent  to  quit  my  uncle. ' ' 

' '  Miss  Howard  will  not  think  me  presumptuous,  if  I  re- 
mind her  that  there  was  a  time  when  she  did  not  think  me 
unworthy  to  be  intrusted  with  her  person  and  happiness." 

A  rich  bloom  mantled  on  the  face  of  Cecilia,  as  she 
replied, — 

"  Nor  do  I  now,  Mr.  Griffith  ;  but  you  do  well  to  remind 
me  of  my  former  weakness,  for  the  recollection  of  its  folly 
and  imprudence  only  adds  to  my  present  strength." 

''Nay,"  interrupted  her  eager  lover,  ''if  I  intended  a  re- 
proach, or  harbored  a  boastful  thought,  spurn  me  from  you 
forever,  as  unworthy  of  your  favor. ' ' 

' '  I  acquit  you  of  both  much  easier  than  I  can  acquit  my. 
self  of  the  charge  of  weakness  and  folly,"  continued  Cecilia; 
' '  but  there  are  many  things  that  have  occurred,  since  we 
last  met,  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  such  inconsiderate  rash- 
ness on  my  part.  One  of  them  is,"  she  added,  smiling 
sweetly,  "  that  I  have  numbered  twelve  additional  months 
to  my  age,  and  a  hundred  to  my  experience.  Another,  and 
perhaps  a  more  important  one,  is,  that  my  tmcle  then  con- 


Zbc  pilot 


141 


tinued  among  the  friends  of  his  youth,  surrounded  by  those 
whose  blood  mingles  with  his  own  ;  but  here  he  lives  a 
stranger  ;  and,  though  he  finds  some  consolation  in  dwelling 
in  a  building  where  his  ancestors  have  dwelt  before  him,  yet 
he  walks  as  an  alien  through  its  gloomy  passages,  and  would 
find  the  empty  honor  but  a  miserable  compensation  for  the 
kindness  and  affection  of  one  whom  he  has  loved  and  cher- 
ished from  her  infancy." 

''And  yet  he  is  opposed  to  you  in  your  private  wishes, 
Cecilia,  unless  my  besotted  vanity  has  led  me  to  believe  what 
it  would  now  be  madness  to  learn  was  false  ;  and  in  your 
opinions  of  public  things,  you  are  quite  as  widely  separated. 
I  should  think  there  could  be  but  little  happiness  dependent 
on  a  connection  where  there  is  no  one  feeling  entertained  in 
common." 

''There  is,  and  an  all-important  one,"  said  Miss  Howard  ; 
" 't  is  our  love.  He  is  my  kind,  my  affectionate,  and,  unless 
thwarted  by  some  evil  cause,  my  indulgent  uncle  and  guar- 
dian,— and  I  am  his  brother  Harry's  child.  This  tie  is  not 
easily  to  be  severed,  Mr.  Grifiith  ;  though,  as  I  do  not  wish 
to  see  you  crazed,  I  shall  not  add,  that  your  besotted  vanity 
has  played  you  false ;  but  surely,  Edward,  it  is  possible  to 
feel  a  double  tie,  and  so  to  act  as  to  discharge  our  duties  to 
both.  I  never,  never  can  or  will  consent  to  desert  my  uncle, 
a  stranger  as  he  is  in  the  land  whose  rule  he  upholds  so 
blindly.  You  know  not  this  England,  Grifiith  ;  she  receives 
her  children  from  the  colonies  with  cold  and  haughty  dis- 
trust, like  a  jealous  stepmother,  who  is  wary  of  the  favors 
that  she  bestows  on  her  fictitious  offspring. ' ' 

' '  I  know  her  in  peace,  and  I  know  her  in  war, ' '  said  the 
young  sailor,  proudly,  ' '  and  can  add,  that  she  is  a  haughty 
friend,  and  a  stubborn  foe ;  but  she  grapples  now  with  those 
who  ask  no  more  of  her  than  an  open  sea  and  an  enemy's 
favors.  But  this  determination  will  be  melancholy  tidings 
for  me  to  convey  to  Barnstable." 

"Nay,"  said  Cecilia,  smiling,  "  I  cannot  vouch  for  others 
who  have  no  uncles,  and  who  have  an  extra  quantity  of  ill- 
humor  and  spleen  against  this  country,  its  people,  and  its 
laws,  although  profoundly  ignorant  of  them  all." 


142 


TLbc  pilot 


'  *  Is  Miss  Howard  tired  of  seeing  me  under  the  tiles  of  St. 
Ruth  ?  ' '  asked  Katherine.  * '  But  hark  !  are  there  not  foot- 
steps approaching  along  the  gallery  ? ' ' 

"They  listened,  in  breathless  silence,  and  soon  heard  dis- 
tinctly the  approaching  tread  of  more  than  one  person. 
Voices  were  quite  audible,  and  before  they  had  time  to  con- 
sult on  what  was  best  to  be  done,  the  words  of  the  speakers 
were  distinctly  heard  at  the  door  of  their  own  apartment. 

*' Ay  !  he  has  a  military  air  about  him,  Peters,  that  will 
make  him  a  prize  ;  come,  open  the  door. ' ' 

"This  is  not  his  room,  your  honor,"  said  the  alarmed 
soldier  ;   "he  quarters  in  the  last  room  in  the  gallery." 

"How  know  you  that,  fellow?  come,  produce  the  key, 
and  open  the  way  for  me  ;  I  care  not  who  sleeps  here  ;  there 
is  no  saying  but  I  may  enlist  them  all  three." 

A  single  moment  of  dreadful  incertitude  succeeded,  when 
the  sentinel  was  heard  saying,  in  reply  to  this  peremptory 
order, — 

'  *  I  thought  your  honor  wanted  to  see  the  one  with  the 
black  stock,  and  so  left  the  rest  of  the  keys  at  the  other  end 
of  the  passage  ;  but — ' ' 

"But  nothing,  you  loon  ;  a  sentinel  should  always  carry 
his  keys  about  him,  like  a  jailer ;  follow,  then,  and  let  me 
see  the  lad  who  dresses  so  well  to  the  right." 

As  the  heart  of  Katherine  began  to  beat  less  vehemently 
she  said, — 

"  'Tis  Borroughcliffe,  and  too  drunk  to  see  that  we  have 
left  the  key  in  the  door  ;  but  what  is  to  be  done  ?  we  have 
but  a  moment  for  consultation." 

"As  the  day  dawns,"  said  Cecilia,  quickly,  "  I  shall  send 
here,  under  the  pretence  of  conveying  you  food,  my  own 
woman — ' ' 

"There  is  no  need  of  risking  anything  for  my  safety," 
interrupted  Griffith  ;  "  I  hardly  think  we  shall  be  detained, 
and  if  we  are,  Barnstable  is  at  hand  with  a  force  that  would 
scatter  these  recruits  to  the  four  winds  of  heaven." 

* '  Ah  !  that  would  lead  to  bloodshed,  and  scenes  of  hor- 
ror," exclaimed  Cecilia. 

"  lyisten  !  "  cried  Katherine,  "  they  approach  again  !  " 


XTbe  pilot 


143 


A  man  now  stopped,  once  more,  at  their  door,  which  was 
opened  softly,  and  the  face  of  the  sentinel  was  thrust  into 
the  apartment. 

"  Captain  Borroughcliffe  is  on  his  rounds,  and  for  fifty  of 
yom-  guineas  I  would  not  leave  you  here  another  minute. ' ' 

"  But  one  word  more,"  said  Cecilia. 

"  Not  a  syllable,  my  lady,  for  my  life,"  returned  the  man  ; 
"  the  lady  from  the  next  room  waits  for  you,  and  in  mercy 
to  a  poor  fellow,  go  back  where  you  came  from." 

The  appeal  was  unanswerable,  and  they  complied,  Cecilia 
saying,  as  they  left  the  room, — 

I  shall  send  you  food  in  the  morning,  young  man,  and 
directions  how  to  take  the  remedy  necessary  to  your  safety." 

In  the  passage  they  found  Alice  Dunscombe,  with  her  face 
concealed  in  her  mantle  ;  and,  it  would  seem,  by  the  heavy 
sighs  that  escaped  from  her,  deeply  agitated  by  the  inter- 
view which  she  had  just  encountered. 

But  as  the  reader  may  have  some  curiosity  to  know  what 
occurred  to  distress  this  unoffending  lady  so  sensibly,  we 
shall  detain  the  narrative,  to  relate  the  substance  of  that 
which  passed  between  her  and  the  individual  whom  she 
sought. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


*'  As  when  a  lion  in  his  den, 
Hath  heard  the  hunters'  cries, 
And  rushes  forth  to  meet  his  foes, 
So  did  the  Douglas  rise." 

PERCY. 

ALICE  DUNSCOMBE  did  not  find  the  second  of 
the  prisoners  buried,  like  Griffith,  in  sleep,  but  he 
was  seated  on  one  of  the  old  chairs  that  were  in 
^he  apartment,  with  his  back  to  the  door,  and 
apparently  looking  through  the  small  window,  on  the  dark 
and  dreary  scenery  over  which  the  tempest  was  yet  sweeping 
in  its  fury.  Her  approach  was  unheeded,  until  the  light  from 
her  lamp  glared  across  his  eyes,  when  he  started  from  his 
musing  posture,  and  advanced  to  meet  her.  He  was  the 
first  to  speak. 

I  expected  this  visit,"  he  said,  "  when  I  found  that  you 
recognized  my  voice ;  and  I  felt  a  deep  assurance  in  my 
breast,  that  Alice  Dunscombe  would  never  betray  me." 

His  listener,  though  expecting  this  confirmation  of  her 
conjectures,  was  unable  to  make  an  immediate  reply,  but 
she  sank  into  the  seat  he  had  abandoned,  and  waited  a  few 
moments,  as  if  to  recover  her  powers. 

"It  was,  then,  no  mysterious  warning!  no  airy  voice 
that  mocifid  my  ear  ;  but  a  dread  reality  !  ' '  she  at  length 
jaid.  ' '  Why  have  you  thus  braved  the  indignation  of  the 
kws  of  your  country  ?  On  what  errand  of  fell  mischief  has 
your  ruthless  temper  again  urged  you  to  embark  ?  ' ' 

''This  is  strong  and  cruel  language,  coming  from  3^ou 
to  me,  Alice  Dunscombe,"  returned  the  stranger,  with  cool 

^44 


XTbe  pilot 


145 


asperity  ;  ' '  and  the  time  has  been  when  I  should  have  been 
greeted,  after  a  shorter  absence,  with  milder  terms." 

* '  I  deny  it  not ;  I  cannot,  if  I  would,  conceal  my  infirmity 
from  myself  or  you  :  I  hardly  wish  it  to  continue  unknown 
to  the  world.  If  I  have  once  esteemed  you — if  I  have 
plighted  to  you  my  troth,  and  in  my  confiding  folly  forgot 
my  higher  duties,  God  has  amply  punished  me  for  the  weak- 
ness in  your  own  evil  deeds. ' ' 

Nay,  let  not  our  meeting  be  embittered  with  useless  and 
provoking  recriminations,"  said  the  other;  "for  we  have 
much  to  say  before  you  communicate  the  errand  of  mercy  on 
which  you  have  come  hither.  I  know  you  too  well,  Alice, 
not  to  see  that  you  perceive  the  peril  in  which  I  am  placed, 
and  are  willing  to  venture  something  for  my  safety.  Your 
mother — does  she  yet  live  ?  ' ' 

"  She  is  gone  in  quest  of  my  blessed  father,"  said  Alice, 
covering  her  pale  face  with  her  hands  ;  ' '  they  have  left  me 
alone,  truly ;  for  he  who  was  to  have  been  all  to  me,  was 
first  false  to  his  faith,  and  has  since  become  unworthy  of  my 
confidence. ' ' 

The  stranger  became  singularly  agitated,  his  usually  quiet 
eye  glancing  hastily  from  the  floor  to  the  countenance  of  his 
companion,  as  he  paced  the  room  with  hurried  steps  ;  at 
length  he  replied, — 

There  is  much,  perhaps,  to  be  said  in  explanation,  that 
you  do  not  know.  I  left  the  country,  because  I  found  in  it 
nothing  but  oppression  and  injustice,  and  I  could  not  invite 
you  to  become  the  bride  of  a  wanderer,  without  either  name 
or  fortune.  But  I  have  now  the  opportunity  of  proving  my 
truth.  You  say  you  are  alone ;  be  so  no  longer,  and  try 
how  far  you  were  mistaken  in  believing  that  I  should  one 
day  supply  the  place  to  you  of  both  father  and  mother." 

There  is  something  soothing  to  a  female  ear  in  the  ofier 
of  even  protracted  justice,  and  Alice  spoke  with  less  of  acri- 
mony in  her  tones,  during  the  remainder  of  their  conference, 
if  not  with  less  of  severity  in  her  language. 

' '  You  talk  not  like  a  man  whose  life  hangs  but  on  a  thread 
that  the  next  minute  may  snap  asunder.  Whither  would 
you  lead  me  ?  is  it  to  the  Tower  at  I^ondon  ?  * ' 


146 


Ube  pilot 


Think  not  I  have  weakly  exposed  my  person  without  a 
sufficient  protection,"  returned  the  stranger,  with  cool  indif- 
ference ;  '  *  there  are  many  gallant  men  who  only  wait  my 
signal,  to  crush  the  paltry  force  of  this  officer  like  a  worm 
beneath  my  feet. ' ' 

"Then  has  the  conjecture  of  Colonel  Howard  been  true  I 
and  the  manner  in  which  the  enemy's  vessels  have  passed 
the  shoals  is  no  longer  a  mystery  !  you  have  been  their 
pilot!" 

''I  have." 

"What!  would  ye  pervert  the  knowledge  gained  in  the 
springtime  of  your  guileless  youth  to  the  foul  purpose  of 
bringing  desolation  to  the  doors  of  those  you  once  knew  and 
respected  !  John  !  John  !  is  the  image  of  the  maiden  whom 
in  her  morning  of  beauty  and  simplicity  I  believe  you  did 
love,  so  faintly  impressed,  that  it  cannot  soften  your  hard 
heart  to  the  misery  of  those  among  whom  she  has  been  bom, 
and  who  compose  her  little  world  ?  ' ' 

"  Not  a  hair  of  theirs  shall  be  touched,  not  a  thatch  shall 
blaze,  nor  shall  a  sleepless  night  befall  the  vilest  among 
them — and  all  for  your  sake,  Alice  !  England  comes  to  this 
contest  with  a  seared  conscience,  and  bloody  hands,  but  all 
shall  be  forgotten  for  the  present,  when  both  opportunity 
and  power  offer  to  make  her  feel  our  vengeance,  even  in  her 
vitals.    I  came  on  no  such  errand. ' ' 

"What,  then,  has  led  you  blindly  into  snares,  where  all 
your  boasted  aid  would  avail  you  nothing  ;  for,  shordd  I  call 
aloud  your  name,  even  here,  in  the  dark  and  dreary  pas- 
sages of  this  obscure  edifice,  the  cry  would  echo  through  the 
cotmtry  ere  the  morning,  and  a  whole  people  w^ould  be  fotmd 
in  arms  to  punish  your  audacity." 

* '  My  name  has  been  sounded,  and  that  in  no  gentle 
strains,"  returned  the  Pilot,  scornfully,  "when  a  whole 
people  have  quailed  at  it,  the  craven,  cowardly  wretches  fly- 
ing before  the  man  they  had  wronged.  I  have  lived  to  bear 
the  banners  of  the  new  republic  proudly  in  sight  of  the  three 
kingdoms,  when  practised  skill  and  equal  arms  have  in  vain 
struggled  to  pluck  it  down.  Ay,  Alice,  the  echoes  of  my 
guns  are  still  roaring  among  your  eastern  hills,  and  would 


XTbe  pilot 


147 


lender  my  name  more  appalling  than  inviting  to  your  sleep- 
ing yeomen." 

' '  Boast  not  of  the  momentary  success  that  the  arm  of  God 
has  yielded  to  your  unhallowed  efforts, ' '  said  Alice  ;  "  for  a 
day  of  severe  and  heavy  retribution  must  follow  ;  nor  flatter 
yourself  with  the  idle  hope,  that  your  name,  terrible  as  ye 
have  rendered  it  to  the  virtuous,  is  sufficient,  of  itself,  to 
drive  the  thoughts  of  home,  and  country,  and  kin,  from  all 
who  hear  it.  Nay,  I  know  not  that  even  now,  in  listening 
to  you,  I  am  not  forgetting  a  solemn  duty,  which  would 
teach  me  to  proclaim  your  presence,  that  the  land  might 
know  that  her  unnatural  son  is  a  dangerous  burthen  in  her 
bosom. ' ' 

The  Pilot  turned  quickly  in  his  short  walk  ;  and,  after 
reading  her  countenance,  with  the  expression  of  one  who 
felt  his  security,  he  said,  in  gentler  tones, — 

' '  Would  that  be  Alice  Dunscombe  ?  would  that  be  like 
the  mild,  generous  girl  whom  I  knew  in  my  youth  ?  But  I 
repeat,  the  threat  would  fail  to  intimidate,  even  if  you  were 
capable  of  executing  it.  I  have  said  that  it  is  only  to  make 
the  signal,  to  draw  around  me  a  force  sufficient  to  scatter 
these  dogs  of  soldiers  to  the  four  winds  of  heaven." 

*'Have  you  calculated  your  power  justly,  John  ?  "  said 
Alice,  unconsciously  betraying  her  deep  interest  in  his  safety. 
*'  Have  you  reckoned  the  probability  of  Mr.  Dillon's  arriving, 
accompanied  by  an  armed  band  of  horsemen,  with  the  morn- 
ing's sun  ?  for  it  's  no  secret  in  the  Abbey  that  he  is  gone  in 
quest  of  such  assistance." 

"Dillon!"  exclaimed  the  Pilot,  starting;  ''who  is  he? 
and  on  what  suspicion  does  he  seek  this  addition  to  your 
guard  ?  ' ' 

' '  Nay,  John,  look  not  at  me,  as  if  you  would  know  the 
secrets  of  my  heart.  It  was  not  I  who  prompted  him  to  such 
a  step  ;  you  cannot  for  a  moment  think  that  I  would  betray 
you  !  But  too  surely  he  has  gone  ;  and,  as  the  night  wears 
rapidly  away,  you  should  be  using  the  hour  of  grace  to  effect 
your  own  security." 

''Fear  not  for  me,  Alice,"  returned  the  Pilot,  proudly, 
while  a  faint  smile  struggled  around  his  compressed  lip: 


148 


Ube  pilot 


' '  and  yet  I  like  not  this  movement  either.  How  call  you  his 
name  ?    Dillon  !  is  he  a  minion  of  King  George  ?  ' ' 

He  is,  John,  what  you  are  not,  a  loyal  subject  of  his 
sovereign  lord  the  king  ;  and,  though  a  native  of  the  re- 
volted colonies,  he  has  preserved  his  virtue  uncontaminated 
amid  the  corruptions  and  temptations  of  the  times." 

*  \  An  American  !  and  disloyal  to  the  liberties  of  the  human 
race  !  By  Heaven,  he  had  better  not  cross  me  ;  for  if  my 
arm  reach  him,  it  shall  hold  him  forth  as  a  spectacle  of 
treason  to  the  world." 

' '  And  has  not  the  world  enough  of  such  a  spectacle  in 
yourself  ?  Are  ye  not,  even  now,  breathing  your  native  air, 
though  lurking  through  the  mists  of  the  island,  with  desper- 
ate intent  against  its  peace  and  happiness  ?  ' ' 

A  dark  and  fierce  expression  of  angry  resentment  flashed 
from  the  eyes  of  the  Pilot,  and  even  his  iron  frame  seemed 
to  shake  with  emotion,  as  he  answered, — 

"  Call  you  his  dastardly  and  selfish  treason,  aiming,  as  it 
does,  to  aggrandize  a  few,  at  the  expense  of  millions,  a  par- 
allel case  to  the  generous  ardor  that  impels  a  man  to  fight 
in  the  defence  of  sacred  liberty  ?  I  might  tell  you  that  I  am 
armed  in  the  common  cause  of  my  fellow-subjects  and  coun- 
trymen ;  that  though  an  ocean  divided  us  in  distance,  yet 
are  we  a  people  of  the  same  blood,  and  children  of  the  same 
parents,  and  that  the  hand  which  oppresses  one  inflicts  an 
injury  on  the  other.  But  I  disdain  all  such  narrow  apolo- 
gies. I  was  born  on  this  orb,  and  I  claim  to  be  a  citizen 
of  it.  A  man  with  a  soul  not  to  be  limited  by  the  arbi- 
trary boundaries  of  tyrants  and  hirelings,  but  one  who 
has  the  right  as  well  as  the  inclination  to  grapple  with 
oppression,  in  whose  name  soever  it  is  exercised,  or  in 
whatever  hollow  and  specious  shape  it  founds  its  claim  to 
abuse  our  race." 

"Ah  !  John,  John,  though  this  may  sound  like  reason  to 
rebellious  ears,  to  mine  it  seemeth  only  as  the  ravings  of 
insanity.  It  is  in  vain  ye  build  up  your  new  and  disorganiz- 
ing systems  of  rule,  or  rather  misrule,  which  are  opposed  to 
all  that  the  world  has  ever  yet  done,  or  ever  will  see  done 
in  peace  and  happiness.     What  avail  your  subtleties  and 


Ube  pilot 


false  reasonings  against  the  heart  ?  It  is  the  heart  which 
tells  us  where  our  home  is,  and  how  to  love  it." 

''You  talk  like  a  weak  and  prejudiced  woman,  Alice," 
said  the  Pilot,  more  composedly  ;  ' '  and  one  who  would 
shackle  nations  with  the  ties  that  bind  the  young  and  feeble 
of  your  own  sex  together. ' ' 

"  And  by  what  holier  or  better  bond  can  they  be  united?  " 
said  Alice.  '  *  Are  not  the  relations  of  domestic  life  of  God's 
establishing,  and  have  not  the  nations  grown  from  families, 
as  branches  spread  from  the  stem,  till  the  tree  overshadows 
the  land  ?  'T  is  an  ancient  and  sacred  tie  that  binds  man  to 
his  nation  ;  neither  can  it  be  severed  without  infamy. ' ' 

The  Pilot  smiled  disdainfully,  and  throwing  open  the 
rough  exterior  of  his  dress,  he  drew  forth,  in  successioi?, 
several  articles,  while  a  glowing  pride  lighted  his  coimte- 
nance,  as  he  offered  them  singly  to  her  notice. 

' '  See,  Alice  !  "  he  said,  ' '  call  you  this  infamy  !  This 
broad  sheet  of  parchment  is  stamped  with  a  seal  of  no  mean 
importance,  and  it  bears  the  royal  name  of  the  princely 
I^ouis  also  !  And  view  this  cross  !  decorated  as  it  is  with 
jewels,  the  gift  of  the  same  illustrious  hand  ;  it  is  not  apt  to 
be  given  to  the  children  of  infamy,  neither  is  it  wise  or 
decorous  to  stigmatize  a  man  who  has  not  been  thought  un- 
worthy to  consort  with  princes  and  nobles,  by  the  oppro- 
brious  name  of  the  '  Scotch  Pirate.'  " 

''And  have  ye  not  earned  the  title,  John,  by  ruthless^ 
deeds  and  bitter  animosity  ?  I  could  kiss  the  baubles  ye 
show  me,  if  they  were  a  thousand  times  less  splendid,  had 
they  been  laid  upon  your  breast  by  the  hands  of  your  lawful 
prince ;  but  now  they  appear  to  my  eyes  as  indelible  blots 
upon  your  attainted  name.  As  for  yoin:  associates,  I  have 
heard  of  them  :  and  it  seemeth  that  a  queen  might  be  better 
employed  than  encouraging  by  her  smiles  the  disloyal  sub- 
jects of  other  monarchs,  though  even  her  enemies,  God 
only  knows  when  his  pleasure  may  suffer  a  spirit  of  disaffec- 
tion to  rise  up  among  the  people  of  her  own  nation,  and 
then  the  thought  that  she  has  encouraged  rebellion  may 
prove  both  bitter  and  unwelcome. ' ' 

**That  the  royal  and  lovely  Antoinette  has  deigned  to 


XTbe  pilot 


repay  my  services  with  a  small  portion  of  her  gracious  ap 
probation  is  not  among  the  least  of  my  boasts, ' '  returned  the 
Pilot,  in  affected  humility,  while  secret  pride  was  manifested 
even  in  his  lofty  attitude.  But  venture  not  a  syllable  in 
her  dispraise,  for  you  know  not  whom  you  censure.  She 
is  less  distinguished  by  her  illustrious  birth  and  elevated 
position,  than  by  her  virtues  and  loveliness.  She  lives  the 
first  of  her  sex  in  Europe  :  the  daughter  of  an  emperor,  the 
consort  of  the  most  powerful  king,  and  the  smiling  and  be- 
loved patroness  of  a  nation  who  worship  at  her  feet.  Her 
life  is  above  all  reproach,  as  it  is  above  all  earthly  punish- 
ment, were  she  so  lost  as  to  merit  it ;  and  it  has  been  the 
will  of  Providence  to  place  her  far  beyond  the  reach  of  all 
human  misfortunes." 

' '  Has  it  placed  her  above  human  errors,  John  !  punish- 
ment is  the  natural  and  inevitable  consequence  of  sin  ;  and 
unless  she  can  say  more  than  has  ever  fallen  to  the  lot  of 
humanity  to  say  truly,  she  may  yet  be  made  to  feel  the 
chastening  arm  of  One,  to  whose  eyes  all  her  pageantry  and 
power  are  as  vacant  as  the  air  she  breathes — so  insignifi- 
cant must  it  seem  when  compared  to  his  own  just  rule  ! 
But  if  you  vaunt  that  you  have  been  permitted  to  kiss  the 
hem  of  the  robes  of  the  French  queen,  and  have  been  the 
companion  of  high-born  and  flaunting  ladies,  clad  in  their 
richest  array,  can  ye  yet  say  to  yourself,  that  amid  them  all 
ye  have  found  one  whose  tongue  has  been  bold  to  tell  you 
the  truth,  or  whose  heart  has  sincerely  joined  in  her  false 
professions  ?  ' ' 

' '  Certainly  none  have  met  me  with  the  reproaches  that 
I  have  this  night  received  from  Alice  Dunscombe,  after  a 
separation  of  six  long  years,"  returned  the  Pilot. 

"  If  I  have  spoken  to  you  the  words  of  holy  truth,  John, 
let  them  not  be  the  less  welcome,  because  they  are  strangers 
to  your  ears.  O  !  think  that  she  who  has  thus  dared  to 
use  the  language  of  reproach  to  one  whose  name  is  terrible 
to  all  who  live  on  the  border  of  this  island,  is  led  to  the  rash 
act  by  no  other  motive  than  interest  in  your  eternal  wel- 
fare." 

'  *  Alice !     Alice  !  you  madden  me  with  these  foolish 


XTbe  pilot 


speeches  !  Am  I  a  monster  to  frighten  unprotected  women 
and  helpless  children?  What  mean  these  epithets,  as 
coupled  with  my  name  ?  Have  you,  too,  lent  a  credulous 
ear  to  the  vile  calumnies  with  which  the  policy  of  your 
rulers  has  ever  attempted  to  destroy  the  fair  fame  of  those 
who  oppose  them,  and  those  chiefly  who  oppose  them  with 
success  ?  My  name  may  be  terrible  to  the  officers  of  the 
royal  fleet,  but  where  and  how  have  I  earned  a  claim  to  be 
considered  formidable  to  the  helpless  and  unoffending  ?  ' ' 

Alice  Dunscombe  cast  a  furtive  and  timid  glance  at  the 
Pilot,  which  spoke  even  stronger  than  her  words,  as  she 
replied, — 

* '  I  know  not  that  all  which  is  said  of  you  and  your  deeds 
is  true.  I  have  often  prayed,  in  bitterness  and  sorrow,  that 
a  tenth  part  of  that  which  is  laid  to  your  charge  may  not  be 
heaped  on  your  devoted  head  at  the  great  and  final  account. 
But,  John,  I  have  known  you  long  and  well,  and  Heaven 
forbid,  that  on  this  solemn  occasion,  which  may  be  the  last, 
the  last  of  our  earthly  interviews,  I  should  be  found  want- 
ing in  Christian  duty,  through  a  woman's  weakness.  I  have 
often  thought,  when  I  have  heard  the  gall  of  bitter  reproach 
and  envenomed  language  hurled  against  your  name,  that 
they  who  spoke  so  rashly,  little  understood  the  man  they 
vituperated.  But,  though  ye  are  at  times,  and  I  may  say 
almost  always,  as  mild  and  even  as  the  smoothest  sea  over 
which  ye  have  ever  sailed,  yet  God  has  mingled  in  your  na- 
ture a  fearful  mixture  of  fierce  passions,  which,  roused,  are 
more  like  the  southern  waters  when  troubled  with  the  tor- 
nado. It  is  difficult  for  me  to  say  how  far  this  evil  spirit 
may  lead  a  man,  who  has  been  goaded  by  fancied  wrongs 
to  forget  his  country  and  home,  and  who  is  suddenly  clothed 
with  power  to  show  his  resentments. ' ' 

The  Pilot  listened  with  rooted  attention,  and  his  piercing 
eye  seemed  to  reach  the  seat  of  those  thoughts  which  she 
but  half  expressed  ;  still  he  retained  the  entire  command  of 
himself,  and  answered,  more  in  sorrow  than  in  anger, — 

**  If  anything  could  convert  me  to  yoiu:  own  peaceful 
and  unresisting  opinions,  Alice,  it  would  be  the  reflections 
that  offer  themselves  at  this  conviction,  that  even  you  have 


Ube  pilot 


been  led,  by  the  base  tongues  of  my  dastardly  enemies,  to 
doubt  my  honor  and  conduct.  What  is  fame,  when  a  man 
can  be  thus  traduced  to  his  nearest  friends  ?  But  no  more 
of  these  childish  reflections  !  they  are  unworthy  of  myself, 
my  ofi&ce,  and  the  sacred  cause  in  which  I  have  enlisted  !  ' ' 

"Nay,  John,  shake  them  not  off,"  said  Alice,  unconsciously 
laying  her  hand  on  his  arm  ;  "  they  are  as  the  dew  to  the 
parched  herbage,  and  may  freshen  the  feelings  of  yom 
youth,  and  soften  the  heart  that  has  grown  hard,  if  hard  it 
be,  more  by  unnatural  indulgence,  than  its  own  base  incli- 
nations. ' ' 

Alice  Dunscombe,"  said  the  Pilot,  approaching  her  with 
solemn  earnestness,  ' '  I  have  learnt  much  this  night,  though 
I  came  not  in  quest  of  such  knowledge.  You  have  taught 
me  how  powerful  is  the  breath  of  the  slanderer,  and  how 
frail  is  the  tenure  by  which  we  hold  our  good  names.  Full 
twenty  times  have  I  met  the  hirelings  of  your  prince  in 
open  battle,  fighting  ever  manfully  under  that  flag  which 
was  first  raised  to  the  breeze  by  my  own  hands,  and  which, 
I  thank  my  God,  I  have  never  yet  seen  lowered  an  inch  ; 
but  with  no  one  act  of  cowardice  or  private  wrong  in  all 
that  service  can  I  reproach  myself ;  and  yet,  how  am  I  re- 
warded !  The  tongue  of  the  vile  calumniator  is  keener 
than  the  sword  of  the  warrior,  and  leaves  a  more  indelible 
scar!  " 

* '  Never  have  ye  uttered  a  truer  sentiment,  John,  and 
God  send  that  ye  may  encourage  such  thoughts  to  your 
own  eternal  advantage,"  said  Alice,  with  engaging  interest. 
*  *  You  say  that  you  have  risked  your  precious  life  in  twenty 
combats,  and  observe  how  little  of  Heaven's  favor  is  be- 
stowed on  the  abettors  of  rebellion  !  They  tell  me  that  the 
world  has  never  witnessed  a  more  desperate  and  bloody 
struggle  than  this  last,  for  which  your  name  has  been  made 
to  sound  to  the  furthermost  ends  of  the  isle." 

"'Twill  be  known  wherever  naval  combats  are  spoken 
of ! "  interrupted  the  Pilot,  the  melancholy  which  had  be- 
gun to  lower  in  his  countenance  giving  place  to  a  look  of 
proud  exultation. 

"And  yet  its  fancied  glory  cannot  shield  your  name  from 


XTbe  pilot 


153 


wrong,  nor  are  the  rewards  of  the  victor  equal,  in  a  tempo- 
ral sense,  to  those  which  the  vanquished  has  received. 
Know  you  that  our  gracious  monarch,  deeming  your  adver^ 
sary's  cause  so  sacred,  has  extended  to  him  his  royal  favor  ? '  * 

*  *  Ay  !  he  has  dubbed  him  knight  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  Pilot, 
with  a  scornful  and  bitter  laugh  :  "let  him  be  again  fur- 
nished with  a  ship,  and  me  with  another  opportunity,  and 
I  promise  him  an  earldom,  if  being  again  vanquished  can 
constitute  a  claim  ! ' ' 

' '  Speak  not  so  rashly,  nor  vaunt  yourself  of  possessing  a 
protecting  power  that  may  desert  you,  John,  when  you  most 
need  it,  and  least  expect  the  change,"  returned  his  compan- 
ion ;  ' '  the  battle  is  not  always  to  the  strong,  neither  is  the 
race  to  the  swift. ' ' 

"Forget  you,  my  good  Alice,  that  your  words  will  admit 
of  a  double  meaning  ?  Has  the  battle  been  to  the  strong  ! 
Though  you  say  not  well  in  denying  the  race  to  the  swift. 
Yes,  yes ;  often  and  again  have  the  dastards  escaped  me 
by  their  prudent  speed  !  Alice  Dunscombe,  you  know  not 
a  thousandth  part  of  the  torture  that  I  have  been  made  to 
feel,  by  high-born  miscreants,  who  envy  the  merit  they  can- 
not equal,  and  detract  from  the  glory  of  deeds  that  they 
dare  not  attempt  to  emulate.  How  have  I  been  cast  upon 
the  ocean,  like  some  unworthy  vessel  that  is  commissioned 
to  do  a  desperate  deed,  and  then  to  bury  itself  in  the  ruin 
it  has  made  !  How  many  malignant  hearts  have  triumphed 
as  they  beheld  my  canvas  open,  thinking  that  it  was  spread 
to  hasten  me  to  a  gibbet,  or  to  a  tomb  in  the  bosom  of  the 
ocean  !  but  I  have  disappointed  them  I ' ' 

The  eyes  of  the  Pilot  no  longer  gazed  with  their  piercing 
and  settled  meaning  ;  but  they  flashed  with  a  fierce  and 
wild  pleasure,  as  he  continued,  in  a  louder  voice, — 

"Yes,  bitterly  have  I  disappointed  them!  O  !  the  tri- 
umph over  my  fallen  enemies  has  been  tame  to  this  heart- 
felt exultation  which  places  me  immeasurably  above  those 
false  and  craven  hypocrites !  I  begged,  I  implored  the 
Frenchmen,  for  the  meanest  of  their  craft,  which  possessed 
but  the  common  qualities  of  a  ship  of  war  ;  I  urged  the  pol- 
icy and  necessity  of  giving  me  such  a  force,  for  even  then  I 


154 


Ube  pilot 


promised  to  be  found  in  harm's  way  ;  but  envy  and  jealousy 
robbed  me  of  my  just  dues,  and  of  more  than  half  my  glory. 
They  call  me  pirate  !  If  I  have  claim  to  the  name,  it  was 
furnished  more  by  the  paltry  outfit  of  my  friends,  than  by 
any  act  towards  my  enemies  !  " 

' '  And  do  not  these  recollections  prompt  you  to  return  to 
your  allegiance,  to  your  prince  and  native  land,  John?" 
said  Alice,  in  a  subdued  voice. 

'  *  Away  with  the  silly  thought !  ' '  interrupted  the  Pilot, 
recalled  to  himself  as  if  by  a  sudden  conviction  of  the  weak- 
ness he  had  betrayed  ;  "  it  is  ever  thus  where  men  are  made 
conspicuous  by  their  works — but  to  your  visit ;  I  have  the 
power  to  rescue  myself  and  companions  from  this  paltry 
confinement,  and  yet,  I  would  not  have  it  done  with  violence 
for  your  sake.    Bring  you  the  means  of  doing  it  in  quiet  ?  ' ' 

"  When  the  morning  arrives,  you  will  all  be  conducted 
to  the  apartment  where  we  first  met.  This  will  be  done  at 
the  solicitation  of  Miss  Howard,  under  the  plea  of  compas- 
sion and  justice,  and  with  the  professed  object  of  inquiring 
into  your  situations.  Her  request  will  not  be  refused ; 
and  while  your  guard  is  stationed  at  the  door,  you  will  be 
shown,  by  another  entrance,  through  the  private  apartments 
of  the  wing,  to  a  window  whence  you  can  easily  leap  to  the 
ground,  where  a  thicket  is  at  hand ;  afterwards  we  shall 
trust  your  safety  to  your  own  discretion. ' ' 

"And  if  this  Dillon,  of  whom  you  have  spoken,  should 
suspect  the  truth ,  how  will  you  answer  to  the  law  for  aiding 
our  escape  ?  ' ' 

"  I  believe  he  little  dreams  who  is  among  the  prisoners," 
eaid  Alice,  musing,  "  though  he  may  have  detected  the  char- 
acter of  one  of  your  companions.  But  it  is  private  feeling, 
rather  than  public  spirit,  that  urges  him  on. ' ' 

"  I  have  suspected  something  of  this,"  returned  the  Pilot, 
with  a  smile,  that  crossed  those  features  where  ungovernable 
passions  had  so  lately  been  exhibited,  with  an  effect  that 
might  be  likened  to  the  last  glimmering  of  an  expiring 
conflagation,  serving  to  render  the  surrounding  ruin  more 
obvious.  This  young  Griffith  has  led  me  from  my  direct 
path  with  his  idle  imprudence,  and  it  is  right  that  his 


XTbe  pilot 


»55 


mistress  should  incur  some  risk.  But  with  you,  Alice,  the 
case  is  different ;  here  you  are  only  a  guest,  and  it  is  unnec- 
essary that  you  should  be  known  in  the  unfortunate  affair. 
Should  my  name  get  abroad,  this  recreant  American,  this 
Colonel  Howard,  will  find  all  the  favor  he  has  purchased  by 
advocating  the  cause  of  tyranny  necessary  to  protect  him 
from  the  displeasure  of  the  ministry." 

"  I  fear  to  trust  so  delicate  a  measure  to  the  young 
discretion  of  my  amiable  friend,"  said  Alice,  shaking  her 
head. 

*  *  Remember,  that  she  has  her  attachment  to  plead  in  her 
excuse  ;  but  dare  you  say  to  the  world  that  you  still  re- 
member, with  gentle  feelings,  the  man  whom  you  stigmatize 
with  such  opprobrious  epithets  ? ' ' 

A  slight  color  gleamed  over  the  brow  of  Alice  Dunscombe, 
as  she  uttered,  in  a  voice  that  was  barely  audible, — 

'  *  There  is  no  longer  a  reason  why  the  world  should  know 
of  such  a  weakness,  though  it  did  exist."  And,  as  the  faint 
glow  passed  away,  leaving  her  face  pale  nearly  as  the  hue 
of  death,  her  eyes  kindled  with  unusual  fire,  and  she  added, 
* '  They  can  but  take  my  life,  John  ;  and  that  I  am  ready  to 
lay  down  in  your  service  ! ' ' 

"Alice!"  exclaimed  the  softened  Pilot,  "my  kind,  my 
gentle  Alice  ! ' ' 

The  knock  of  the  sentinel  at  the  door  was  heard  at  this 
critical  moment.  Without  waiting  for  a  reply  to  his  sum- 
mons, the  man  entered  the  apartment ;  and,  in  hurried 
language,  declared  the  urgent  necessity  that  existed  for  the 
lady  to  retire.  A  few  brief  remonstrances  were  uttered  by 
both  Alice  and  the  Pilot,  who  wished  to  comprehend  more 
clearly  each  other's  intentions  relative  to  the  intended 
escape  ;  but  the  fear  of  personal  punishment  rendered  the 
soldier  obdurate,  and  a  dread  of  exposure  at  length  induced 
the  lady  to  comply.  She  arose,  and  was  leaving  the  apart- 
ment with  lingering  steps,  when  the  Pilot,  touching  her 
hand,  whispered  to  her  impressively, — 

"Alice,  we  meet  again  before  I  leave  this  island  forever? 

"We  meet  in  the  morning,  John,"  she  returned,  in  the 
same  tone  of  voice,  ' '  in  the  apartments  of  Miss  Howard. ' ' 


156 


XTbe  pilot 


He  dropped  her  hand,  and  she  glided  from  the  room, 
when  the  impatient  sentinel  closed  the  door,  and  silently 
turned  the  key  on  his  prisoner.  The  Pilot  remained  in  a 
listening  attitude,  until  the  light  footsteps  of  the  retiring 
pair  were  no  longer  audible,  when  he  paced  his  confined 
apartment  with  perturbed  steps,  occasionally  pausing  to  look 
out  at  the  driving  clouds,  and  the  groaning  oaks  that  were 
trembling  and  rocking  their  broad  arms  in  the  fitful  gusts 
of  the  gale.  In  a  few  minutes  the  tempest  in  his  own 
passions  had  gradually  subsided  to  the  desperate  and  still 
calmness  that  made  him  the  man  he  was  ;  when  he  again 
seated  himself  where  Alice  had  found  him,  and  began  to 
muse  on  the  events  of  the  times,  from  which  the  transition 
to  projecting  schemes  of  daring  enterprise  and  mighty  conse- 
quences was  but  the  usual  employment  of  his  active  and 
restless  mind. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


"  I  have  no  exquisite  reason  for't,  but  I  *ve  reason  good  enough." 

Twelfth  Night. 

THE  countenance  of  Captain  BorroughcliiGfe,  when 
the  sentinel  admitted  him  to  the  apartment  he 
had  selected,  was  in  that  state  of  doubtful  illumi^ 
nation,  when  looks  of  peculiar  cunning  blend  so 
nicely  with  the  stare  of  vacancy,  that  the  human  face  is 
rendered  not  unlike  an  April  day,  now  smiling  and  inviting, 
and  at  the  next  moment  clouded  and  dreary.  It  was  quite 
apparent  that  the  soldier  had  an  object  for  his  unexpected 
visit,  by  the  importance  of  his  air,  and  the  solemnity  of  the 
manner  with  which  he  entered  on  the  business.  He  waved 
his  hand  for  the  sentinel  to  retire,  with  lofty  dignity,  and 
continued  balancing  his  body,  druing  the  closing  of  the 
door,  and  while  a  sound  continued  audible  to  his  confused 
faculties,  with  his  eyes  fixed  in  the  direction  of  the  noise, 
with  that  certain  sort  of  wise  look  that  in  many  men  sup- 
plies the  place  of  something  better.  When  the  captain  felt 
himself  secure  from  interruption,  he  moved  round  with 
quick  military  precision,  in  order  to  face  the  man  of  whom 
he  was  in  quest.  Griffith  had  been  sleeping,  though  unea- 
sily, and  with  watchfulness  ;  and  the  Pilot  had  been  calmly 
awaiting  the  visit  which  it  seemed  he  had  anticipated  ;  but 
their  associate,  who  was  no  other  than  Captain  Manual,  of  the 
marines,  was  discovered  in  a  very  different  condition  from 
either.  Though  the  weather  was  cool,  and  the  night  tem- 
pestuous, he  had  thrown  aside  his  pea-jacket,  with  most  of 
his  disguise,  and  was  sitting  ruefully  on  his  blanket,  wiping, 
with  one  hand,  the  large  drops  of  sweat  from  his  forehead, 


trbe  iPilot 


and  occasionally  grasping  his  throat  with  the  other,  with  a 
kind  of  convulsed  mechanical  movement.  He  stared  wildly 
at  his  visitor,  though  his  entrance  produced  no  other  altera- 
tion in  these  pursuits,  than  a  more  diligent  application  of 
his  handkerchief,  and  a  more  frequent  grasping  of  his  naked 
neck,  as  if  he  were  willing  to  ascertain,  by  actual  experi- 
ment, what  degree  of  pressure  the  part  was  able  to  sustain, 
without  exceeding  a  given  quantity  of  inconvenience. 

*'  Comrade,  I  greet  ye  !  "  said  Borroughcliffe,  staggering 
to  the  side  of  his  prisoner,  where  he  seated  himself  with  an 
entire  absence  of  ceremony  :  ' '  Comrade,  I  greet  ye  !  Is  the 
kingdom  in  danger,  that  gentlemen  traverse  the  island  in 
the  uniform  of  the  regiment  of  incognitus,  incognita,  'torum 
— damme,  how  I  forget  my  Latin  !  Say,  my  fine  fellow,  are 
you  one  of  these  '  torums  ?  ' ' 

Manual  breathed  a  little  hard,  which,  considering  the 
manner  he  had  been  using  his  throat,  was  a  thing  to  be  ex- 
pected ;  but,  swallowing  his  apprehensions,  he  answered 
with  more  spirit  than  his  situation  rendered  prudent,  or  the 
occasion  demanded. 

' '  Say  what  you  will  of  me,  and  treat  me  as  you  please,  I 
defy  any  man  to  call  me  Tory  with  truth." 

"You  are  no  'torum  !  Well,  then,  the  war-office  has  got 
up  a  new  dress  !  Your  regiment  must  have  earned  their 
facings  in  storming  some  water  battery,  or  perhaps  it  has 
done  duty  as  marines.    Am  I  right  ?  ' ' 

I  '11  not  deny  it,"  said  Manual,  more  stoutly  ;  I  have 
served  as  a  marine  for  two  years,  though  taken  from  the 
line  of—" 

**The  army,"  said  Borroughcliffe,  interrupting  a  most 
damning  confession  of  which  ' '  state  line ' '  the  other  had 
belonged  to.  "I  kept  a  dog-watch,  myself,  once,  on  board 
the  fleet  of  my  Lord  Howe  ;  but  it  is  a  ser\dce  that  I  do  not 
envy  any  man.  Our  afternoon  parades  were  dreadfully 
unsteady,  for  it 's  a  time,  you  know,  when  a  man  wants  solid 
ground  to  stand  on.  However,  I  purchased  my  company 
with  some  prize-money  that  fell  in  my  way,  and  I  always 
remember  the  marine  service  with  gratitude.  But  this  is 
dry  work.    I  have  put  a  bottle  of  sparkling  Madeira  in  my 


XTbe  pilot 


159 


pocket,  with  a  couple  of  glasses,  which  we  will  discuss, 
while  we  talk  over  more  important  matters.  Thrust  your 
hand  into  my  right  pocket ;  I  have  been  used  to  dress  to  the 
front  so  long,  that  it  comes  mighty  awkward  to  me  to  make 
this  backward  motion,  as  if  it  were  into  a  cartridge-box." 

Manual,  who  had  been  at  a  loss  how  to  construe  the  man- 
ner of  the  other,  perceived  at  once  a  good  deal  of  plain 
English  in  this  request,  and  he  dislodged  one  of  Colonel 
Howard's  dusty  bottles,  with  a  dexterity  that  denoted  the 
earnestness  of  his  purpose.  Borroughcliffe  had  made  a 
suitable  provision  of  glasses  ;  and  extracting  the  cork  in  a 
certain  scientific  manner,  he  tendered  to  his  companion  a 
bumper  of  the  liquor,  before  another  syllable  was  uttered  by 
either  of  the  expectants.  The  gentlemen  concluded  their 
draughts  with  a  couple  of  smacks,  that  sounded  not  unlike 
the  pistols  of  two  practised  duellists,  though  certainly  a 
much  less  alarming  noise,  when  the  entertainer  renewed 
the  discourse. 

"  I  like  one  of  your  musty-looking  bottles,  that  is  covered 
with  dust  and  cobwebs,  with  a  good  southern  tan  on  it,"  he 
said.  "  Such  liquor  does  not  abide  in  the  stomach,  but  it 
gets  into  the  heart  at  once,  and  becomes  blood  in  the  beat- 
ing of  a  pulse.  But  how  soon  I  knew  you  !  That  sort  of 
knowledge  is  the  freemasonry  of  our  craft.  I  knew  you  to 
be  the  man  you  are,  the  moment  I  laid  eyes  on  you  in  what 
we  call  our  guard-room  ;  but  I  thought  I  would  humor  the 
old  soldier  who  lives  here,  by  letting  him  have  the  formula 
of  an  examination,  as  a  sort  of  deference  to  his  age  and 
former  rank.  But  I  knew  you  the  instant  I  saw  you.  I 
have  seen  you  before  ! ' ' 

The  theory  of  Borroughclifie,  in  relation  to  the  incorpo- 
ration of  wine  with  the  blood,  might  have  been  true  in  the 
case  of  the  marine,  whose  whole  frame  appeared  to  undergo 
a  kind  of  magical  change  by  the  experiment  of  drinking, 
which,  the  reader  will  understand,  was  diligently  persevered 
in,  while  a  drop  remained  in  the  bottle.  The  perspiratioil 
no  longer  rolled  from  his  brow,  neither  did  his  throat  mani- 
fest that  uneasiness  which  had  rendered  such  constant  exter- 
nal applications  necessary  ;  but  he  settled  down  into  an  air 


XTbe  pilot 


Df  cool  but  curious  interest,  which,  in  some  measure,  was  the 
necessary  concomitant  of  his  situation. 

We  may  have  met  before,  as  I  have  been  much  in  service, 
and  yet  I  know  not  where  you  could  have  seen  me,"  said 
Mcinual.    * '  Were  you  ever  a  prisoner  of  war  ?  ' ' 

' '  Hum  !  not  exactly  such  an  unfortunate  devil ;  but  a  sort 
of  conventional  non-combatant.  I  shared  the  hardships,  the 
glory,  the  equivocal  victories  (where  we  killed  and  drove 
countless  numbers  of  rebels — who  were  not),  and,  woe  is  me  ! 
the  capitulation  of  Burgoyne.  But  let  that  pass — which  was 
more  than  the  Yankees  would  allow  vs  to  do.  You  know 
not  where  I  could  have  seen  you?  I  have  seen  you  on 
parade,  in  the  field,  in  battle  and  out  of  battle,  in  camp,  in 
barracks,  in  short,  everjrwhere  but  in  a  drawing-room.  No, 
no  ;  I  have  never  seen  you  before  this  night  in  a  drawing- 
room  !  " 

Manual  stared  in  a  good  deal  of  wonder  and  some  un- 
easiness, at  these  confident  assertions,  which  promised  to  put 
his  life  in  no  little  jeopardy  ;  and  it  is  to  be  supposed  that 
the  peculiar  sensation  about  the  throat  was  revived,  as  he 
made  a  heavy  draught,  before  he  said, — 

* '  You  will  swear  to  this — can  you  call  me  by  name  ? ' 

"  I  will  swear  to  it  in  any  court  in  Christendom,"  said  the 
dogmatical  soldier  ;  ' '  and  your  name  is — is — Fugleman  ! ' ' 

"If  it  is,  I  '11  be  damned  !  "  exclaimed  the  other,  with 
exulting  precipitation. 

' '  Swear  not ! ' '  said  Borroughcliffe,  with  a  solemn  air  ; 
' '  for  what  mattereth  an  empty  name  !  Call  thyself  by  what 
appellation  thou  wilt,  I  know  thee.  Soldier  is  written  on  thy 
martial  front ;  thy  knee  bendeth  not ;  nay,  I  even  doubt  if 
the  rebellious  member  bow  in  prayer. ' ' 

"Come,  sir,"  interrupted  Manual,  a  little  sternly;  "no 
more  of  this  trifling,  but  declare  your  will  at  once.  Rebellious 
member,  indeed  !  These  fellows  will  call  the  skies  of  America 
rebellious  heavens  shortly  ! ' ' 

* '  I  like  thy  spirt,  lad,  returned  the  undisturbed  Borrough- 
cliffe :  "it  sits  as  gracefully  on  a  soldier,  as  his  sash  and 
gorget ;  but  it  is  lost  on  an  old  campaigner.  I  marvel,  how- 
ever, that  thou  takest  such  umbrage  at  my  slight  attack  on 


Ubc  mot 


i6z 


thy  orthodoxy.  I  fear  thy  fortress  must  be  weak,  where  the 
outworks  are  defended  with  such  a  waste  of  unnecessary 
courage  !  " 

'*  I  know  not  why  or  wherefore  you  have  paid  me  this 
visit,  Captain  BorroughcHffe, "  said  Manual,  with  a  laudable 
discretion,  which  prompted  him  to  reconnoitre  the  other's 
views  a  little,  before  he  laid  himself  more  open  ;  "  if  captain 
be  your  rank,  and  Borroughclifife  be  your  name.  But  this  I 
do  know,  that  if  it  be  only  to  mock  me  in  my  present  situ- 
ation, it  is  neither  soldier-like  nor  manly  ;  and  it  is  what, 
in  other  circumstances,  might  be  attended  by  some  hazard." 

'  *  Hum  ! ' '  said  the  other,  with  his  immovable  coolness  ; 
*  *  I  see  you  set  the  wine  down  as  nothing,  though  the  king 
drinks  not  as  good ;  for  the  plain  reason  that  the  sun  of 
England  cannot  find  its  way  through  the  walls  of  Windsor 
Castle  as  easily  as  the  sun  of  Carolina  can  warm  a  garret  cov- 
ered with  cedar  shingles.  But  I  like  your  spirit  more  and 
more.  So  draw  yourself  up  in  battle  array,  and  let  us  have 
another  charge  at  this  black  bottle,  when  I  shall  lay  before 
your  military  eyes  a  plan  of  the  whole  campaign." 

Manual  first  bestowed  an  inquiring  glance  on  his  com- 
panion ;  when,  discovering  no  other  expression  than  foolish 
cunning,  which  was  fast  yielding  before  the  encroaching 
footsteps  of  stupid  inebriety,  he  quietly  placed  himself  in  the 
desired  position.  The  wine  was  drunk,  when  Borrough- 
clifie  proceeded  to  open  his  communications  more  unreserv- 
edly. 

You  are  a  soldier,  and  I  am  a  soldier.  That  you  are  a 
soldier,  my  orderly  could  tell ;  for  the  dog  has  both  seen  a 
campaign,  and  smelt  villainous  saltpetre,  when  compounded 
according  to  a  wicked  invention  ;  but  it  required  the  ofl&cer 
to  detect  the  ofiicer.  Privates  do  not  wear  such  linen  as  this, 
which  seemeth  to  me  an  unreasonably  cool  attire  for  the 
season  ;  nor  velvet  stocks,  with  silver  buckles  ;  nor  is  there 
often  the  odorous  flavor  of  sweet-scented  pomatum  to  be  dis- 
covered around  their  greasy  locks.  In  short,  thou  art  both 
soldier  and  officer. ' ' 

' '  I  confess  it, ' '  said  Manual ;  ' '  I  hold  the  rank  of  captain, 
and  shall  expect  the  treatment  of  one." 


l62 


Ube  pilot 


"  I  think  I  have  furnished  you  with  wine  fit  for  a  general,*' 
returned  BorroughcHfife  ;  ' '  but  have  your  own  way.  Now,  it 
would  be  apparent  to  men,  whose  faculties  had  not  been  ren- 
dered clear  by  such  cordials  as  this  dwelling  aboundeth  with, 
that  when  you  officers  journey  through  the  island,  clad  in 
the  uniform  incognitorum,  which,  in  your  case,  means  the 
marine  corps,  something  is  in  the  wind  of  more  than  usual 
moment.  Soldiers  owe  their  allegiance  to  their  prince,  and 
next  to  him,  to  war,  women,  and  wine.  Of  war,  there  is 
none  in  the  realm  ;  of  women  plenty  ;  but  wine,  I  regret  to 
say,  that  is,  good  wine,  grows  both  scarce  and  dear.  Do  I 
speak  to  the  purpose,  comrade?  " 

"  Proceed,"  said  Manual,  whose  eyes  were  not  less  atten- 
tive than  his  ears,  in  a  hope  to  discover  whether  his  true 
character  were  understood. 

""En  avant !  in  plain  English,  forward  march!  Well, 
then,  the  difficulty  lies  between  women  and  wine  ;  which, 
when  the  former  are  pretty,  and  the  latter  rich,  is  a  very 
agreeable  sort  of  an  alternative.  That  it  is  not  wine  of  which 
you  are  in  quest,  I  must  believe,  my  comrade  captain,  or 
you  would  not  go  on  the  adventure  in  such  shabby  attire. 
You  will  excuse  me,  but  who  would  think  of  putting  any- 
thing better  than  their  Port  before  a  man  in  a  pair  of  tarred 
trowsers  ?  No  !  no  !  Hollands,  green-and-yellow  Hollands, 
is  a  potation  good  enough  to  set  before  one  of  the  present 
bearing." 

* '  And  yet  I  have  met  with  him  who  has  treated  me  to  the 
thoicest  of  the  south-side  Madeira  !  ' ' 

Know  you  the  very  side  from  which  the  precious  fluid 
comes  !  That  looks  more  in  favor  of  the  wine.  But,  after 
all,  woman,  dear  capricious  woman,  who  one  moment  fancies 
she  sees  a  hero  in  regimentals,  and  the  next  a  saint  in  a  cas- 
sock ;  and  who  always  sees  something  admirable  in  a  suitor, 
whether  he  be  clad  in  tow  or  velvet — woman  is  at  the 
bottom  of  this  mysterious  masquerading.  Am  I  right,  com- 
rade?" 

By  this  time  Manual  had  discovered  that  he  was  safe,  and 
he  returned  to  the  conversation  with  a  revival  of  all  his  ready 
wits,  which  had  been  strangely  paralyzed  by  his  previous 


Ubc  pilot 


disorder  in  the  region  of  the  throat.  First  bestowing  a 
wicked  wink  on  his  companion,  and  a  look  that  would  have 
outdone  the  wisest  aspect  of  Solomon,  he  replied, — 

* '  Ah  !  woman  has  much  to  answer  for  !  " 

' '  I  knew  it, ' '  exclaimed  Borroughcliffe  ;  '  *  and  this  con- 
fession only  confirms  me  in  the  good  opinion  I  have  always 
entertained  of  myself.  If  his  majesty  has  any  particular 
wish  to  close  this  American  business,  let  him  have  a  certain 
convention  burnt,  and  a  nameless  person  promoted,  and  we 
shall  see  !  But,  answer  as  you  love  truth  ;  is  it  a  business 
of  holy  matrimony,  or  a  mere  dalliance  with  the  sweets  of 
Cupid?" 

Of  honest  wedlock,"  said  Manual,  with  an  air  as  serious 
as  if  Hymen  already  held  him  in  his  fetters. 
"  'T  is  honest !    Is  there  money  ? ' ' 

"  Is  there  money?"  repeated  Manual,  with  a  sort  of  con- 
temptuous echo.  * '  Would  a  soldier  part  with  his  liberty, 
but  with  his  life,  unless  the  chains  were  made  of  gold  ?  ' ' 

That's  the  true  military  doctrine  !  "  cried  the  other; 
"  faith,  you  have  some  discretion  in  your  amphibious  corps, 
I  find  !  But  why  this  disguise  ?  are  the  '  seniors  grave, '  as 
well  as  '  potent  and  reverend  '  ?  Why  this  disguise,  I  again 
ask?" 

"Why  this  disguise!"  repeated  Manual,  coolly:  "is 
there  any  such  thing  as  love  in  your  regiment  without  dis- 
guise?   With  us,  it  is  a  regular  symptom  of  the  disease." 

"A  most  just  and  discreet  description  of  the  passion,  my 
amphibious  comrade  !  ' '  said  the  English  ofiQcer  ;  ' '  and  yet 
the  symptoms  in  your  case  are  attended  by  some  very  malig- 
nant tokens.    Does  your  mistress  love  tar  ?  " 

"  No  ;  but  sheloveth  me  ;  and,  of  course,  whatever  attire  I 
choose  to  appear  in." 

* '  Still  discreet  and  sagacious  !  and  yet  only  a  most  pal- 
pable feint  to  avoid  my  direct  attack.  You  have  heard  of 
such  a  place  as  Gretna  Green,  a  little  to  the  north  of  this,  I 
dare  say,  my  aquatic  comrade.    Am  I  right?  " 

"  Gretna  Green  !  "  said  Manual,  a  little  embarrassed  by 
his  ignorance  ;  "some parade-ground,  I  suppose ?  " 

"Ay,  for  those  who  suffer  under  the  fire  of  Master  Cupid. 


164 


XTbe  pilot 


A  parade-ground  !  well,  there  is  some  artful  simplicity  in 
that !  But  all  will  not  do  with  an  old  campaigner.  It  is  a 
difficult  thing  to  impose  on  an  old  soldier,  my  water  battery. 
Now  listen  and  answer  ;  and  you  shall  see  what  it  is  to  pos- 
sess a  discernment — therefore  deny  nothing.  You  are  in 
love!  " 

"I  deny  nothing,"  said  Manual,  comprehending  at  once 
that  this  was  his  safest  cotuse. 

"Your  mistress  is  willing,  and  the  money  is  ready,  but 
the  old  people  say,  Halt !  " 

•'I  am  still  mute  !  " 

*"T  is  prudent.  You  say,  March — Gretna  Green  is  the 
object ;  and  your  flight  is  to  be  by  water  !  " 

' '  Unless  I  can  make  my  escape  by  water,  I  shall  never 
make  it,"  said  Manual,  with  another  sympathetic  move- 
ment with  his  hand  to  his  throat. 

* '  Keep  mute  ;  you  need  tell  me  nothing.  I  can  see  into  a 
mystery  that  is  as  deep  as  a  well,  to-night.  Your  compan- 
ions are  hirelings  ;  perhaps  your  shipmates  ;  or  men  to  pilot 
you  on  this  expedition  ! ' ' 

*'One  is  my  shipmate,  and  the  other  is  our  pilot,"  said 
Manual,  with  more  truth  than  usual. 

*'You  are  well  provided.  One  thing  more,  and  I  shall 
become  mute  in  my  turn.  Does  she  whom  you  seek  lie  in 
this  house  ? ' ' 

* '  She  does  not ;  she  lies  but  a  short  distance  from  this 
place  ;  and  I  should  be  a  happy  fellow  could  I  but  once  more 
put  foot — " 

Byes  on  her.  Now  listen,  and  you  shall  have  your  wish. 
You  possess  the  ability  to  march  yet,  which,  considering  the 
lateness  of  the  hour,  is  no  trifling  privilege  ;  open  that  win- 
dow— is  it  possible  to  descend  from  it  ?  " 

Manual  eagerly  complied,  but  he  turned  from  the  place 
in  disappointment. 

"It  would  be  certain  death  to  attempt  the  leap.  The 
devil  only  could  escape  from  it." 

"  So  I  should  think,"  returned  Borroughcliffe,  dryly. 
**  You  must  be  content  to  pass  for  that  respectable  gentleman 
for  the  rest  of  your  days,  in  St.  Ruth's  Abbey.    For  through 


XTbe  pilot 


that  identical  hole  must  you  wing  your  flight  on  the  pinions 
of  love." 

But  how  !    The  thing  is  impossible." 

"In  imagination  only.  There  is  some  stir,  a  good  deal 
of  foolish  apprehension,  and  a  great  excess  of  idle  curiosity, 
among  certain  of  the  tenants  of  this  house,  on  your  account. 
They  fear  the  rebels,  who,  we  all  know,  have  not  soldiers 
enough  to  do  their  work  neatly  at  home,  and  who,  of  course, 
would  never  think  of  sending  any  here.  You  wish  to  b^ 
snug — I  wish  to  serve  a  brother  in  distress.  Through  that 
window  you  must  be  supposed  to  fly — no  matter  how  ;  while 
by  following  me  you  can  pass  the  sentinel,  and  retire  peace- 
ably, like  any  other  mortal  on  your  own  two  stout  legs." 

This  was  a  resrdt  that  exceeded  all  that  Manual  ha© 
anticipated  from  their  amicable  but  droll  dialogue  ;  and  the 
hint  was  hardly  given,  before  he  threw  on  the  garments  that 
agitation  had  before  rendered  such  encumbrances ;  and  in 
less  time  than  we  have  taken  to  relate  it,  the  marine  was 
completely  equipped  for  his  departure.  In  the  meantime. 
Captain  Borroughcliffe  raised  himself  to  an  extremely  erect 
posture,  which  he  maintained  with  the  inflexibility  of  a  rigid 
martinet.  When  he  found  himself  established  on  his  feet, 
the  soldier  intimated  to  his  prisoner  that  he  was  ready  to 
proceed.  The  door  was  instantly  opened  by  Manual,  and 
together  they  entered  the  gallery. 

"Who  comes  there?  "  cried  the  sentinel,  with  a  vigilance 
and  vigor  that  he  intended  should  compensate  for  his  pre- 
vious neglect  of  duty. 

"Walk  straight,  that  he  may  see  you,"  said  Borrough* 
cliffe,  with  much  philosophy. 

"Who  goes  there?"  repeated  the  sentinel,  throwing  his 
musket  to  a  poise,  with  a  rattling  sound  that  echoed  along 
the  naked  walls, 

"Walk  crooked,"  added  Borroughcliffe,  "  that  if  he  fire 
he  may  miss. ' ' 

We  shall  be  shot  at,  with  this  folly,"  muttered  Manual. 
*' We  are  friends  and  yourofiicer  is  one  of  us." 

"Stand,  friends;  advance  officer,  and  give  the  counter 
sign,"  cried  the  sentinel. 


i66 


Ubc  mot 


"  That  is  much  easier  said  than  done,"  returned  his  cap- 
tain ;  ' '  forward,  Mr.  Amphibious,  you  can  walk  Uke  a  post- 
man ;  move  to  the  front,  and  proclaim  the  magical  word, 
Royalty'  ;  'tis  a  standing  countersign,  ready  furnished  to 
my  hands  by  mine  host,  the  colonel ;  your  road  is  then  clear 
before  you — but  hark — ' ' 

Manual  made  an  eager  step  forward,  when,  recollecting 
himself,  he  turned,  and  added, — 

' '  My  assistants,  the  seamen  !  I  can  do  nothing  without 
them." 

"  Lo  !  the  keys  are  in  the  doors,  ready  for  my  admission," 
said  the  Englishman;  "turn  them,  and  bring  out  your 
forces." 

Quick  as  thought,  Manual  was  in  the  room  of  Grifl&th, 
to  whom  he  briefly  communicated  the  situation  of  things, 
when  he  reappeared  in  the  passage,  and  then  proceeded  on 
a  similar  errand  to  the  room  of  the  Pilot. 

"  Follow,  and  behave  as  usual,"  he  whispered  ;  say  not 
a  word,  but  trust  all  to  me." 

The  Pilot  arose,  and  obeyed  these  instructions  without 
asking  a  question,  with  the  most  admirable  coolness. 

"I  am  now  ready  to  proceed,"  said  Manual,  when  they 
had  joined  Borroughcliffe. 

During  the  short  time  occupied  in  these  arrangements, 
the  sentinel  and  his  captain  had  stood  looking  at  each  other 
with  great  military  exactitude.  The  former  ambitious  of 
manifesting  his  watchfulness,  the  latter  awaiting  the  return 
of  the  marine.  The  captain  now  beckoned  to  Manual  to 
advance  and  give  the  countersign. 

''Loyalty,"  whispered  Manual,  when  he  approached  the 
sentinel.  But  the  soldier  had  been  allowed  time  to  reflect ; 
and  as  he  well  understood  the  situation  of  his  ofiicer,  he 
hesitated  to  allow  the  prisoner  to  pass.  After  a  moment's 
pause,  he  said, — 

"Advance,  friends."  At  this  summons  the  whole  party 
moved  to  the  point  of  his  bayonet ;  when  the  man  contin- 
ued:  "The  prisoners  have  the  countersign,  Captain  Bor- 
roughcliffe, but  I  dare  not  let  them  pass." 

"Why  not  ?  "  asked  the  captain  ;  "  am  I  not  here,  sirrah? 
do  you  not  know  me  ? 


TTbe  pilot 


167 


"  Yes,  sir,  I  know  your  honor,  and  respect  your  honor, 
but  I  was  posted  here  by  my  sergeant,  and  ordered  not  to 
let  these  men  pass  out  on  any  account." 

"  That 's  what  I  call  good  discipline,"  said  Borroughclifife, 
with  an  exulting  laugh  ;  *  *  I  knew  the  lad  would  not  mind 
me  any  more  than  that  he  would  obey  the  orders  of  that 
lamp.  Here  are  no  slaves  of  the  lamp,  my  amphibious 
comrade  ;  drill  ye  your  marines  in  this  consummate  style  to 
niceties  ? ' ' 

"  What  means  this  trifling  ?  "  said  the  Pilot,  sternly. 
Ah  !  I  thought  I  should  turn  the  laugh  on  you,"  crie^ 
Manual,  affecting  to  join  in  the  mirth  ;  "we  know  all  these 
things  well,  and  we  practise  them  in  our  corps  ;  but  thougli 
the  sentinel  cannot  know  you,  the  sergeant  will ;  &o  let 
him  be  called,  and  orders  be  given  through  him  to  the  man 
on  post,  that  we  may  pass  out. ' ' 

"Your  throat  grows  uneasy,  I  see,"  said  Borrc  4ghcliffe  ; 
"  you  crave  another  bottle  of  the  generous  fluid.  Well,  it 
shall  be  done.  Sentinel,  you  can  throw  up  yo  ^  window, 
and  give  a  call  to  the  sergeant." 

"  The  outcry  will  ruin  us,"  said  the  Pilot,  in  a  whisper  to 
Griffith. 

"  Follow  me,"  said  the  young  sailor.  The  sentinel  was 
turning  to  execute  the  orders  of  his  captain  as  Griffith 
spoke,  when  springing  forward,  in  an  instant  he  wrenched 
the  musket  from  his  hands  ;  a  heavy  blow  with  its  butt 
felled  the  astonished  soldier  to  the  floor ;  then,  poising  his 
weapon,  Griffith  exclaimed, — 

' '  Forward  !  we  can  clear  our  own  way  now  ! ' ' 

"  On  !  "  said  the  Pilot,  leaping  lightly  over  the  prostrate 
soldier,  a  dagger  gleaming  in  one  hand,  and  a  pistol  pre- 
sented in  the  other. 

Manual  was  by  his  side  in  an  instant,  armed  in  a  similar 
manner ;  and  the  three  rushed  together  from  the  building, 
without  meeting  any  one  to  oppose  their  flight. 

Borroughcliffe  was  utterly  unable  to  follow,  and  so  as- 
tounded was  he  by  this  sudden  violence,  th^t  several  min- 
utes passed  before  he  was  restored  to  the  us^^  qi  his  speech, 
a  faculty  which  seldom  deserted  him.     The  -Maa  had  recov- 


t68 


Ube  pilot 


ered  his  senses  and  his  feet,  however ;  and  the  two  stood 
gazing  at  each  other  in  mute  condolence.  At  length  the 
sentinel  broke  the  silence  :  — 

'  *  Shall  I  give  the  alarm,  your  honor  ?  ' ' 

*'  I  rather  think  not,  Peters,  I  wonder  if  there  be  any 
such  thing  as  gratitude  or  good-breeding  in  the  marine 
corps  ! ' ' 

"  I  hope  your  honor  will  remember  that  I  did  my  duty, 
and  that  I  was  disarmed  while  executing  your  orders." 

'  *  I  can  remember  nothing  about  it,  Peters,  except  that 
it  is  rascally  treatment,  and  such  as  I  shall  yet  make  this 
amphibious  aquatic  gentleman  answer  for.  But  lock  the 
door — look  as  if  nothing  had  happened,  and — " 

*  *  Ah  !  your  honor,  that  is  not  so  easily  done  as  your 
honor  may  please  to  think.  I  have  not  any  doubt  but 
there  is  the  print  of  the  breech  of  a  musket  stamped  on  my 
back  and  shoulders,  as  plainly  to  be  seen  as  that  light. ' ' 

' '  Then  look  as  you  please  ;  but  hold  your  peace,  sirrah. 
Here  is  a  crown  to  buy  a  plaster.  I  heard  the  dog  throw 
away  your  musket  on  the  stairs — go  seek  it,  and  return  to 
your  post ;  and  when  you  are  relieved,  act  as  if  nothing 
had  happened.    I  take  the  responsibility  on  myself." 

The  man  obeyed ;  and  when  he  was  once  more  armed, 
Eorroughcliffe,  a  good  deal  sobered  by  the  surprise,  made 
the  best  of  his  way  to  his  own  apartment,  muttering  threats 
and  execrations  again  the  ' '  corps  of  marines  and  the 
whole  race,"  as  he  called  them,  "of  aquatic  amphibii.*' 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


*'  Away !  away  !  the  covey 's  fled  the  cover  ; 
Put  forth  the  dogs,  and  let  the  falcon  fly ; 
I  '11  spend  some  leisure  in  the  keen  pursuit, 
Nor  longer  waste  my  hours  in  sluggish  quiet.*' 

THE  soldier  passed,  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  the 
heavy  sleep  of  a  bacchanalian,  and  awoke  late  on 
the  following  morning,  only  when  aroused  by  the 
entrance  of  his  servant.  When  the  customary 
summons  had  induced  the  captain  to  unclose  his  eyelids,  he 
arose  in  his  bed,  and  after  performing  the  usual  operation 
of  a  diligent  friction  on  his  organs  of  vision,  he  turned  sternly 
to  his  man,  and  remarked,  with  an  ill-humor  that  seemed  to 
implicate  the  innocent  servant  in  the  fault  which  his  master 
condemned, — 

''I  thought,  sirrah,  that  I  ordered  Sergeant  Drill  not  to 
let  a  drumstick  touch  a  sheep-skin  while  we  quartered  in  the 
dwelling  of  this  hospitable  old  colonel  !  Does  the  fellow  de- 
spise my  commands  ?  or  does  he  think  the  roll  of  a  drum, 
echoing  through  the  crooked  passages  of  St.  Ruth,  a  melody 
that  is  fit  to  disturb  the  slumbers  of  its  inmates  ?  ' ' 

"  I  believe,  sir,"  returned  the  man,  "  it  was  the  wish  of 
Colonel  Howard  himself,  that  on  this  occasion  the  sergeant 
should  turn  out  the  guard  by  the  roll  of  the  drum." 

'  *  The  devil  it  was  !  I  see  the  old  fellow  loves  to  tickle  the 
drum  of  his  own  ear  now  and  then  with  familiar  sounds ; 
but  have  you  had  a  muster  of  the  cattle  from  the  farmyard 
too,  as  well  as  a  parade  of  the  guard  ?  I  hear  the  trampling 
of  feet,  as  if  the  old  Abbey  were  a  second  ark,  and  all  the 
beasts  of  the  field  were  coming  aboard  of  us  ! 

i6c  ■ 


170 


Ube  mot 


'T  is  nothing  but  the  party  of  dragoons  from  ,  who 

are  wheeling  into  the  courtyard,  sir,  where  the  colonel  has 
gone  out  to  receive  them." 

"Courtyard!  light  dragoons!"  repeated  Borroughcliffe 
in  amazement ;  "  and  has  it  come  to  this,  that  twenty  stout 

fellows  of  the  th  are  not  enough  to  guard  such  a  rookery 

as  this  old  Abbey,  against  the  ghosts  and  northeast  storms, 
but  we  must  have  horse  to  reinforce  us  ?  Hum  !  I  suppose 
some  of  these  booted  gentlemen  have  heard  of  this  South 
Carolina  Madeira." 

O,  no,  sir  !  "  cried  his  man  ;  "  it  is  only  the  party  that 
Mr.  Dillon  went  to  seek  last  evening,  after  you  saw  fit,  sir, 
to  put  the  three  pirates  in  irons." 

Pirates  in  irons  !  "  said  Borroughcliffe,  again  passing  his 
hands  over  his  eyes,  though  in  a  more  reflecting  manner 
than  before  :  * '  ha  !  O  !  I  remember  to  have  put  three  sus- 
picious-looking rascals  in  the  black-hole,  or  some  such  place  ; 
but  what  can  Mr.  Dillon,  or  the  light  dragoons,  have  to  do 
with  these  fellows  ? ' ' 

''That  we  do  not  know,  sir ;  but  it  is  said  below,  sir,  as 
some  suspicions  had  fallen  on  their  being  conspirators  and 
rebels  from  the  colonies,  and  that  they  were  great  officers 
and  Tories  in  disguise ;  some  said  that  one  was  General 
Washington,  and  others  that  it  was  only  three  members  of 
the  Yankee  parliament,  come  over  to  get  our  good  old  Eng- 
lish fashions  to  set  themselves  up  with." 

''Washington!  Members  of  Congress!  Go — go,  sim- 
pleton, and  learn  how  many  these  troopers  muster,  and  what 
halt  they  make  ;  but  stay,  place  my  clothes  near  me.  Now, 
do  as  I  bid  you,  and  if  the  dragoon  officer  inquire  for  me, 
make  my  respects,  and  tell  him  I  shall  be  with  him  soon. 
Go,  fellow  ;  go." 

When  the  man  left  the  room,  the  captain,  while  he  pro- 
ceeded with  the  business  of  the  toilet,  occasionally  gave  ut- 
terance to  the  thoughts  that  crowded  on  his  recollection, 
after  the  manner  of  a  soliloquy. 

"Ay  !  my  commission  to  a  half-pay  ensigncy,  that  some 
of  these  lazy  fellows,  who  must  have  a  four-legged  beast 
to  carry  them  to  the  wars,  have  heard  of  the  'south  side.' 


xrbe  pilot 


171 


South  side  !  I  believe  I  must  put  an  advertisement  in  the 
London  Gazette,  calling  that  amphibious  soldier  to  an  ac- 
count. If  he  be  a  true  man,  he  will  not  hide  himself  under 
his  incognito,  but  will  give  me  a  meeting.  If  that  should  fail, 
damme,  I  '11  ride  across  to  Yarmouth,  and  call  out  the  first 
of  the  mongrel  breed  that  I  fall  in  with.  'Sdeath  !  was  ever 
such  an  insult  practised  on  a  gentleman,  and  a  soldier,  be- 
fore ?  Would  that  I  only  knew  his  name  !  Why,  if  the  tale 
should  get  abroad,  I  shall  be  the  standing  joke  of  the  mess- 
table,  until  some  greater  fool  than  myself  can  be  found.  It 
would  cost  me  at  least  six  duels  to  get  rid  of  it.  No,  no  ; 
not  a  trigger  will  I  pull  in  my  own  regiment  about  the  silly 
affair :  but  I  '11  have  a  crack  at  some  marine  in  very  re- 
venge ;  for  that  is  no  more  than  reasonable.  That  Peters  ! 
if  the  scoundrel  should  dare  whisper  anything  of  the  manner 
in  which  he  was  stamped  with  the  breech  of  the  musket  J 
I  can't  flog  him  for  it ;  but  if  I  don't  make  it  up  to  him  the 
first  time  he  gives  me  a  chance,  I  am  ignorant  of  the  true  art 
of  balancing  regimental  accounts. ' ' 

By  the  time  the  recruiting  ofiicer  had  concluded  this  solilo- 
quy, which  affords  a  very  fair  exposition  of  the  current  of  his 
thoughts,  he  was  prepared  to  meet  the  new-comers,  and  he 
accordingly  descended  to  the  courtyard,  as  in  duty  bound, 
to  receive  them  in  his  proper  person.  Borroughcliffe  en- 
countered his  host,  in  earnest  conversation  with  a  young  man 
in  a  cavalry  uniform,  in  the  principal  entrance  of  the  Abbey, 
and  was  greeted  by  the  former  with, — 

"  A  good  morning  to  you,  my  worthy  guard  and  protector  ! 
here  is  rare  news  for  your  loyal  ears.  It  seems  that  our  pris- 
oners are  enemies  to  the  king  in  disguise  ;  and  Cornet  Fitz- 
gerald— Captain  Borroughcliffe,  of  the  th,  permit  me  to 

make  you  acquainted  with  Mr.  Fitzgerald,  of  the  th  Light 

Dragoons. ' '  While  the  soldiers  exchanged  their  salutations, 
the  old  man  continued,  ' '  The  comet  has  been  kind  enough 
to  lead  down  a  detachment  of  his  troop  to  escort  the  rogues 
up  to  London,  or  some  other  place,  where  they  will  find 
enough  good  and  loyal  officers  to  form  a  court-martial,  that 
can  authorize  their  execution  as  spies.  Christopher  Dillon, 
my  worthy  kinsman,  Kit,  saw  into  their  real  characters  at  a 


172 


Ube  pilot 


glance  ;  while  you  and  I,  like  two  unsuspecting  boys,  thought 
the  rascals  would  have  made  fit  men  to  serve  the  king.  But 
Kit  has  an  eye  and  a  head  that  few  enjoy  like  him,  and  I 
would  that  he  might  receive  his  dues  at  the  English  bar." 

'  *  It  is  to  be  desired,  sir, ' '  said  Borroughcliffe,  with  a 
grave  aspect,  that  was  produced  chiefly  by  his  effort  to  give 
efiect  to  his  sarcasm,  but  a  little,  also,  by  the  recollection  of 
the  occurrences  that  were  yet  to  be  explained  ;  ' '  but  what 
reason  has  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon  to  believe  that  the  three 
seamen  are  more  or  less  than  they  seem  ?  ' ' 

"I  know  not  what;  but  a  good  and  sufficient  reason,  I 
will  venture  my  life,"  cried  the  colonel;  "Kit  is  a  lad  for 
reasons,  which  you  know  is  the  foundation  of  his  profession, 
and  knows  how  to  deliver  them  manfully  in  the  proper 
place ;  but  you  know,  gentlemen,  that  the  members  of  the 
bar  cannot  assume  the  open  and  bold  front  that  becomes  a 
soldier,  without  often  endangering  the  cause  in  which  they 
are  concerned.  No,  no  ;  trust  me,  Kit  has  his  reasons,  and 
in  good  time  will  he  deliver  them." 

"  I  hope,  then,"  said  the  captain,  carelessly,  that  it  may 
be  found  that  we  have  had  a  proper  watch  on  our  charge, 
Colonel  Howard  ;  I  think  you  told  me  the  windows  were  too 
high  for  an  escape  in  that  direction,  for  I  had  no  sentinel 
outside  the  building." 

'  *  Fear  nothing,   my  worthy  friend, ' '   cried  his  host ; 

unless  your  men  have  slept,  instead  of  watching,  we  have 
them  safe  ;  but,  as  it  will  be  necessary  to  convey  them  away 
before  any  of  the  civil  authority  can  lay  hands  on  them,  let 
us  proceed  to  the  rear,  and  unkennel  the  dogs.    A  party  of 

the  horse  might  proceed  at  once  with  them  to  ,  while  we 

are  breaking  our  fasts.  It  would  be  no  very  wise  thing  to 
allow  the  civilians  to  deal  with  them,  for  they  seldom  have  a 
true  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  crime." 

"Pardon  me,  sir,"  said  the  young  officer  of  horse;  "I 
was  led  to  believe,  by  Mr.  Dillon,  that  we  might  meet  with 
a  party  of  the  enemy  in  some  little  force,  and  that  I  should 
find  a  pleasanter  duty  than  that  of  a  constable  ;  besides, 
sir,  the  laws  of  the  realm  guarantee  to  the  subject  a 
trial  by  his  peers,  and  it  is  more  than  I  dare  do  to  carry 


Xrbe  pilot 


173 


the  men  to  the  barracks,  without  first  taking  them  before 
a  magistrate." 

"  Ay  !  you  speak  of  loyal  and  dutiful  subjects,"  said  the 
colonel  ;  "  and,  as  respects  them,  doubtless,  you  are  right ; 
but  such  privileges  are  withheld  from  enemies  and  traitors. ' ' 

"  It  must  be  first  proved  that  they  are  such,  before  they 
can  receive  the  treatment  or  the  punishment  that  they 
merit,"  returned  the  young  man,  a  little  positively,  who  felt 
the  more  confidence,  because  he  had  only  left  the  Temple 
the  year  before.  If  I  take  charge  of  the  men  at  all,  it  will 
be  only  to  transfer  them  safely  to  the  civil  authority. ' ' 

"Let  us  go  and  see  the  prisoners,"  cried  Borroughclifie, 
with  a  view  to  terminate  a  discussion  that  was  likely  to 
wax  warm,  and  which  he  knew  to  be  useless;  "perhaps 
they  may  quietly  enroll  themselves  under  the  banners  of 
our  sovereign,  when  all  other  interference,  save  that  of 
wholesome  discipline,  will  become  unnecessary." 

' '  Nay,  if  they  are  of  a  rank  in  life  to  render  such  a  step 
probable,"  returned  the  cornet,  I  am  well  content  that 
the  matter  should  be  thus  settled.    I  trust,  however,  that 

Captain  Borroughclifife  will  consider  that  the  th  light 

dragoons  has  some  merit  in  this  afiair,  and  that  we  are  far 
short  of  our  numbers  in  the  second  squadron." 

We  shall  not  be  difficult  at  a  compromise,"  returned  the 
captain  ;  there  is  one  apiece  for  us,  and  a  toss  of  a  guinea 
shall  determine  who  has  the  third  man.  Sergeant !  follow, 
to  deliver  over  your  prisoners,  and  relieve  your  sentry." 

As  they  proceeded,  in  compliance  with  this  arrangement, 
to  the  building  in  the  rear.  Colonel  Howard,  who  made  one 
of  the  party,  observed, — 

* '  I  dispute  not  the  penetration  of  Captain  Borroughclifie, 
but  I  understand  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon  that  there  is  reason 
to  believe  one  of  these  men,  at  least,  to  be  of  a  class  alto- 
gether above  that  of  a  common  soldier  ;  in  which  case,  your 
plans  may  fall  to  the  ground." 

**And  who  does  he  deem  the  gentlemen  to  be?"  asked 
Borroughclifie,  ' '  a  Bourbon  in  disguise,  or  a  secret  repre- 
sentative of  the  rebel  Congress  ?  ' ' 

**Nay,  nay:  he  said  nothing  more;  my  kinsman  Kit 


t74 


Ube  pilot 


keeps  a  close  mouth  whenever  Dame  Justice  is  about  to  bal 
ance  her  scales.  There  are  men  who  may  be  said  to  have  been 
born  to  be  soldiers  ;  of  which  number  I  should  call  the  Earl 
Cornwallis,  who  makes  such  head  against  the  rebels  in  the 
two  Carolinas  ;  others  seem  to  be  intended  by  nature  for 
divines,  and  saints  on  earth,  such  as  their  Graces  of  York 
and  Canterbury ;  while  another  class  appears  as  if  it  were 
impossible  for  them  to  behold  things  unless  with  discrimina- 
ting, impartial,  and  disinterested  eyes ;  to  which,  I  should 
say,  belong  my  I^ord  Chief  Justice  Mansfield,  and  my 
kinsman,  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon.  I  trust,  gentlemen,  that, 
when  the  royal  arms  have  crushed  this  rebellion,  his  maj- 
esty's ministers  will  see  the  propriety  of  extending  the 
dignity  of  the  peerage  to  the  colonies,  as  a  means  of  reward 
to  the  loyal,  and  a  measure  of  policy  to  prevent  further 
disafiection  ;  in  which  case  I  hope  to  see  my  kinsman  dec- 
orated with  the  ermine  of  justice  bordering  the  mantle  of  a 
peer." 

'  *  Your  expectations,  my  excellent  sir,  are  right  reason- 
able ;  as  I  doubt  not  your  kinsman  will  become,  at  some 
future  day,  that  which  he  is  not  at  present,  unhappily  for 
his  deserts,  right  honorable,"  said  Borroughcliffe.  "But  be 
of  good  heart,  sir  ;  from  what  I  have  seen  of  his  merits,  I 
doubt  not  that  the  law  will  yet  have  its  revenge  in  due 
season,  and  that  we  shall  be  properly  edified  and  instructed 
how  to  attain  elevation  in  life,  by  the  future  exaltation  of 
Mr.  Christopher  Dillon ;  though  by  what  title  he  is  to  be 
then  known,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  say." 

Colonel  Howard  was  too  much  occupied  with  his  own 
ex-parte  views  of  the  war  and  things  in  general,  to  observe 
the  shrewd  looks  that  were  exchanged  between  the  soldiers ; 
but  he  answered  with  perfect  simplicity, — 

* '  I  have  reflected  much  on  that  point,  and  have  come  to 
the  opinion,  that  as  he  has  a  small  estate  on  this  river,  he 
should  cause  his  first  barony  to  be  known  by  the  title  of 
•Pedee.'" 

"Barony!"  echoed  Borroughcliffe;  "I  trust  the  ne^ 
nobles  of  a  new  world  will  disdain  the  old  worn-out  distinc- 
tions of  a  hackneyed  universe — eschew  all  baronies,  mine 


Ube  iPflot  175 


host,  and  cast  earldoms  and  dukedoms  to  the  shades.  The 
immortal  Locke  has  unlocked  his  fertile  mind  to  furnish  you 
with  appellations  suited  to  the  originality  of  your  condition 
and  the  nature  of  your  country.  Ah  !  here  comes  the  Ca- 
cique of  Pedee,  in  his  proper  person  ! ' ' 

As  Borroughcliflfe  spoke,  they  were  ascending  the  flight 
of  stone  steps  which  led  to  the  upper  apartments,  where 
the  prisoners  were  still  supposed  to  be  confined  ;  and,  at 
the  same  moment,  the  sullen,  gloomy  features  of  Dillon 
were  seen  as  he  advanced  along  the  lower  passage,  with  an 
expression  of  malicious  exultation  hovering  about  his  dark 
brow,  that  denoted  his  secret  satisfaction.  As  the  hours 
passed  away,  the  period  had  come  round  when  the  man  who 
had  been  present  at  the  escape  of  Grifl&th  and  his  friends, 
was  again  posted  to  perform  the  duty  of  sentinel.  As  this 
soldier  well  knew  the  situation  of  his  trust,  he  was  very 
coolly  adjusted,  with  his  back  against  the  wall,  endeavoring 
to  compensate  himself  for  his  disturbed  slumbers  during  the 
night,  when  the  sounds  of  the  approaching  footsteps  warned 
him  to  assume  the  appearance  of  watchfulness. 

'  *  How  now,  fellow  ! ' '  cried  Borroughcliflfe  ;  '  *  what  have 
you  to  say  to  your  charge  ! ' ' 

believe  the  men  sleep,  your  honor  ;  for  I  have  heard 
no  noises  from  the  rooms  since  I  relieved  the  last  senti- 
nel." 

**The  lads  are  weary,  and  are  right  to  catch  what  sleep 
they  can  in  their  comfortable  quarters,"  returned  the  cap- 
tain. Stand  to  your  arms,  sirrah  !  and  throw  back  your 
shoulders  ;  and  do  not  move  like  a  crab,  or  a  train-band 
corporal ;  do  you  not  see  an  oflQcer  of  horse  coming  up  ? 
Would  you  disgrace  your  regiment  ?  ' ' 

"Ah!  your  honor.  Heaven  only  knows  whether  I  shall 
ever  get  my  shoulders  even  again." 

"Buy  another  plaster,"  said  Borroughcliflfe,  slipping  a 
shilling  into  his  hand;  "observe,  you  know  nothing  but 
your  duty. ' ' 

'  *  Which  is,  your  honor — ' ' 

"To  mind  me,  and  be  silent.  But  here  comes  the  ser« 
geant  with  his  guard  :  he  will  relieve  you." 


176 


Ube  pilot 


The  rest  of  the  party  stopped  at  the  other  end  of  the 
gallery,  to  allow  the  few  files  of  soldiers  who  were  led  by 
the  orderly  to  pass  them,  when  they  all  moved  towards  the 
prisons  in  a  body.  The  sentinel  was  relieved  in  due  mili- 
tary style  when  Dillon  placed  his  hand  on  one  of  the  doors, 
and  said,  with  a  malicious  sneer, — 

* '  Open  here  first,  Mr.  Sergeant ;  this  cage  holds  the  man 
we  most  want. ' ' 

''Softly,  softly,  my  lyord  Chief  Justice,  and  most  puis- 
sant Cacique, ' '  said  the  captain  ;  ' '  the  hour  has  not  yet 
come  to  impanel  a  jury  of  fat  yeomen,  and  no  man  must 
interfere  with  my  boys  but  myself. ' ' 

"The  rebuke  is  harsh,  I  must  observe,  Captain  Bor- 
roughcliffe,"  said  the  colonel ;  "but  I  pardon  it  because  it 
is  military.  No,  no.  Kit ;  these  nice  points  must  be  left  to 
martial  usages.  Be  not  impatient,  my  cousin  ;  I  doubt  not 
the  hour  will  come,  when  you  shall  hold  the  scales  of  jus- 
tice, and  satisfy  your  loyal  longings  on  many  a  traitor. 
Zounds !  I  could  almost  turn  executioner  myself  in  such  a 
cause  ! ' ' 

"I  can  curb  my  impatience,  sir,"  returned  Dillon,  with 
hypocritical  meekness,  and  great  self-command,  though  his 
eyes  were  gleaming  with  savage  exultation.  beg  par- 

don of  Captain  Borroughclifie,  if,  in  my  desire  to  render 
the  civil  authority  superior  to  the  military,  I  have  trespassed 
on  your  customs. ' ' 

' '  You  see,  Borroughclifie  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  colonel,  ex- 
ultingly ,  ' '  the  lad  is  ruled  by  an  instinct  in  all  matters  of 
law  and  justice.  I  hold  it  to  be  impossible  that  a  man 
thus  endowed  can  ever  become  a  disloyal  subject.  But  our 
breakfast  waits,  and  Mr.  Fitzgerald  has  breathed  his  horse 
this  cool  morning ;  let  us  proceed  at  once  to  the  examina- 
tion." 

Borroughclifie  motioned  to  the  sergeant  to  open  the  door, 
when  the  whole  party  entered  the  vacant  room. 

"Your  prisoner  has  escaped!"  cried  the  comet,  afl:er  a 
single  moment  employed  in  making  sure  of  the  fact. 

* '  Never  !  it  must  not,  shall  not  be  !  "  cried  Dillon,  quiv- 
ering with  rage,  as  he  glanced  his  eyes  furiously  around  the 


XTbe  pilot  17^ 


apartment ;  ' '  here  has  been  treachery  !  and  foul  treason  to 
the  king!" 

"By  whom  committed,  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon?"  said 
BorroughcliiBfe,  knitting  his  brow,  and  speaking  in  a  sup- 
pressed tone  ;  ' '  dare  you,  or  any  man  living,  charge  treason 
to  the  th!" 

A  very  different  feeling  from  rage  appeared  now  to  in- 
crease the  shivering  propensities  of  the  future  judge,  who 
at  once  perceived  it  was  necessary  to  moderate  his  passion  ; 
and  he  returned,  as  it  were  by  magic,  to  his  former  plausi- 
ble and  insinuating  manner,  as  he  replied, — 

' '  Colonel  Howard  will  understand  the  cause  of  my  warm 
feeHngs,  when  I  tell  him  that  this  very  room  contained,  only 
last  night,  that  disgrace  to  his  name  and  country,  as  well  as 
traitor  to  his  king,  Edward  Griffith,  of  the  rebel  navy. ' ' 

What !  "  exclaimed  the  colonel,  starting,  "has  that  rec- 
reant youth  dared  to  pollute  the  threshold  of  St.  Ruth  with 
his  footstep  ?  but  you  dream,  Kit  ;  there  would  be  too  much 
hardihood  in  the  act. ' ' 

' '  It  appears  not,  sir, ' '  returned  the  other  ;  ' '  for  though 
in  this  very  apartment  he  most  certainly  was,  he  is  here  no 
longer.  And  yet  from  this  window,  though  open,  escape 
would  seem  to  be  impossible,  even  with  much  assistance." 

"  If  I  thought  that  the  contumelious  boy  had  dared  to  be 
guilty  of  such  an  act  of  gross  impudence, ' '  cried  the  colonel, 
' '  I  should  be  tempted  to  resume  my  arms,  in  my  old  age, 
to  punish  his  effrontery.  What !  is  it  not  enough  that  he 
entered  my  dwelling  in  the  colony,  availing  himself  of  the 
distraction  of  the  times,  with  an  intent  to  rob  me  of  my 
choicest  jewel — ay  !  gentlemen,  even  of  my  brother  Harry's 
daughter— »but  that  he  must  also  invade  this  hallowed  island 
with  a  like  purpose,  thus  thrusting  his  treason,  as  it  were, 
into  the  presence  of  his  abused  prince  !  No,  no,  Kit,  thy 
loyalty  misleads  thee  ;  he  has  never  dared  to  do  the  deed  ! ' ' 

"Listen,  sir,  and  you  shall  be  convinced,"  returned  the 
pliant  Christopher.  "I  do  not  wonder  at  your  unbelief ; 
but  as  a  good  testimony  is  the  soul  of  justice,  I  cannot  re- 
sist its  influence.  You  know  that  two  vessels,  corresponding 
in  appearance  to  the  two  rebel  cruisers  that  annoyed  us  so 


178 


XTbe  pilot 


much  in  the  Carolinas,  have  been  seen  on  the  coast  for 
several  days,  which  induced  us  to  beg  the  protection  of 
Captain  Borroughcliffe.  Three  men  are  found,  the  day  suc- 
ceeding that  on  which  we  hear  that  these  vessels  came  within 
the  shoals,  stealing  through  the  grounds  of  St.  Ruth,  in 
sailor's  attire.  They  are  arrested,  and  in  the  voice  of  one  of 
them,  sir,  I  immediately  detected  that  of  the  traitor  GriiSith. 
He  was  disguised,  it  is  true,  and  cunningly  so  ;  but  when  a 
man  has  devoted  his  whole  life  to  the  business  of  investi- 
gating truth,"  he  added,  with  an  air  of  much  modesty,  "  it 
is  difficult  to  palm  any  disguise  on  his  senses." 

Colonel  Howard  was  strongly  impressed  with  the  proba- 
bility of  these  conjectures,  and  the  closing  appeal  confirmed 
him  immediately  in  his  kinsman's  opinion,  while  Borrough- 
cliffe listened  with  deep  interest  to  the  speakers,  and  more 
than  once  bit  his  lip  with  vexation.  When  Dillon  concluded, 
the  soldier  exclaimed, — 

"  I  '11  swear  there  was  a  man  among  them,  who  has  been 
used  to  the  drill." 

Nothing  more  probable,  my  worthy  friend, "  said  Dillon  ; 
* '  for  as  the  landing  was  never  made  without  some  evil  pur- 
pose, rely  on  it,  he  came  not  unguarded  or  unprotected.  I 
dare  say,  the  three  were  all  officers,  and  one  of  them  might 
have  been  of  the  marines.  That  they  had  assistance  is  cer- 
tain, and  it  was  because  I  felt  assured  they  had  a  force 
secreted  at  hand,  that  I  went  in  quest  of  the  reinforcement." 

There  was  so  much  plausibility,  and,  in  fact,  so  much 
truth  in  all  this,  that  conviction  was  unwillingly  admitted  by 
Borroughcliffe,  who  walked  aside  a  moment,  to  conceal  the 
confusion  which,  in  spite  of  his  ordinary  inflexibility  of  coun- 
tenance, he  felt  was  manifesting  itself  in  his  rubric  visage, 
while  he  muttered, — 

' '  The  amphibious  dog  !  he  was  a  soldier,  but  a  traitor  and 
an  enemy.  No  doubt  he  will  have  a  marvellous  satisfaction 
in  delighting  the  rebellious  ears  of  his  messmates,  by  rehears- 
ing the  manner  in  which  he  poured  cold  water  down  the 

back  of  one  Borroughcliffe,  of  the  th,  who  was  amusing 

him,  at  the  same  time,  by  pouring  good,  rich,  south-side 
Madeira  down  his  own  rebellious  throat.    I  have  a  good 


XTbe  pilot 


179 


mind  to  exchange  my  scarlet  coat  for  a  blue  jacket,  on  pur- 
pose to  meet  the  sly  rascal  on  the  other  element,  where  we 
can  discuss  the  matter  over  again.  Well,  sergeant,  do  you 
find  the  other  two  ?  ' ' 

* '  They  are  gone  together,  your  honor, ' '  returned  the  or- 
derly, who  just  then  re-entered  from  an  examination  of  the 
other  apartments  ;  "and  unless  the  evil  one  helped  them  off, 
it 's  a  mysterious  business  to  me." 

Colonel  Howard,"  said  Borroughcliffe,  gravely,  "your 
precious  south-side  cordial  must  be  banished  from  the  board, 
regularly  with  the  cloth,  until  I  have  my  revenge  ;  for  satis- 
faction of  this  insult  is  mine  to  claim,  and  I  seek  it  this  in- 
stant. Go,  Drill ;  detail  a  guard  for  the  protection  of  the 
house,  and  feed  the  rest  of  your  command,  then  beat  the 
general,  and  we  will  take  the  field.  Ay,  my  worthy  veteran 
host,  for  the  first  time  since  the  days  of  the  unlucky  Charles 
Stuart,  there  shall  be  a  campaign  in  the  heart  of  England." 

"Ah!  rebellion  !  rebellion  !  accursed,  unnatural,  unholy 
rebellion,  caused  the  calamity  then  and  now  !  "  exclaimed 
the  colonel. 

* '  Had  I  not  better  take  a  hasty  refreshment  for  my  men  and 
their  horses  ? ' '  asked  the  cornet ;  '  *  and  then  make  a  sweep 
for  a  few  miles  along  the  coast  ?  It  may  be  my  luck  to 
encounter  the  fugitives,  or  some  part  of  their  force." 

"You  have  anticipated  my  very  thoughts,"  returned  Bor- 
roughcliffe. * '  The  Cacique  of  Pedee  may  close  the  gates  of 
St.  Ruth,  and,  by  barring  the  windows,  and  arming  the  ser- 
vants, he  can  make  a  very  good  defence  against  an  attack, 
should  they  think  proper  to  assail  our  fortress  ;  after  he  has 
repulsed  them,  leave  it  to  me  to  cut  off  their  retreat." 

Dillon  but  little  relished  this  proposal ;  for  he  thought  an 
attempt  to  storm  the  Abbey  would  be  the  most  probable 
course  adopted  by  Griffith,  in  order  to  rescue  his  mistress  ; 
and  the  jurist  had  none  of  the  spirit  of  a  soldier  in  his  com- 
position. In  truth,  it  was  this  deficiency  that  had  induced 
him  to  depart  in  person,  the  preceding  night,  in  quest  of  the 
reinforcement,  instead  of  sending  an  express  on  the  errand. 
But  the  necessity  of  devising  an  excuse  for  a  change  in  this 
dangerous  arrangement  was  obviated  by  Colonel  Howard, 


i8o 


Ube  pilot 


who  exclaimed,  as  soon  as  Borroughclifife  concluded  his 
plan, — 

"  To  me,  Captain  Borroughclifife,  belongs,  of  right,  the 
duty  of  defending  St.  Ruth,  and  it  shall  be  no  boy's  play  to 
force  my  works ;  but  Kit  would  rather  try  his  chance  in 
the  open  field,  I  know.  Come,  let  us  to  our  breakfast,  anc* 
then  he  shall  mount,  and  act  as  a  guide  to  the  horse,  along 
the  difl&cult  passes  of  the  sea-shore." 

* '  To  breakfast  then  let  it  be, ' '  cried  the  captain  ;  "  I  dis- 
trust not  my  new  commander  of  the  fortress ;  and  in  the 
field  the  Cacique  forever  !    We  follow  you,  my  worthy  host." 

This  arrangement  was  hastily  executed  in  all  its  parts. 
The  gentlemen  swallowed  their  meal  in  the  manner  of  men 
who  ate  only  to  sustain  nature,  and  as  a  duty  ;  after  which  the 
whole  house  became  a  scene  of  bustling  activity.  The 
troops  were  mustered  and  paraded ;  Borroughclifife,  setting 
apart  a  guard  for  the  building,  placed  himself  at  the  head 
of  the  remainder  of  his  party,  and  they  moved  out  of  the 
court5^ard  in  open  order,  and  at  quick  time.  Dillon  joy- 
fully beheld  himself  mounted  on  one  of  the  best  of  Colonel 
Howard's  hunters,  where  he  knew  that  he  had  the  control, 
in  a  great  measure,  of  his  own  destiny  ;  his  bosom  throbbing 
with  a  powerful  desire  to  destroy  Grifi&th,  while  he  enter- 
tained a  lively  wish  to  efifect  his  object  without  incurring 
any  personal  risk.  At  his  side  was  the  young  comet,  seated 
with  practised  grace  in  his  saddle,  who,  after  giving  time 
for  the  party  of  foot-soldiers  to  clear  the  premises,  glanced 
his  eye  along  the  few  files  he  led,  and  then  gave  the  word  to 
move.  The  little  division  of  horse  wheeled  briskly  into 
open  column,  and,  the  officer  touching  his  cap  to  Colonel 
Howard,  they  dashed  through  the  gateway  together,  and 
pursued  their  route  towards  the  sea-side  at  a  hand-gallop. 

The  veteran  lingered  a  few  minutes,  while  the  clattering 
of  hoofs  was  to  be  heard,  or  the  gleam  of  arms  was  visible,  to 
hear  and  gaze  at  sounds  and  sights  that  he  still  loved  ;  after 
which  he  proceeded,  in  person,  and  not  without  a  secret 
enjoyment  of  the  excitement,  to  barricade  the  doors  and 
windows,  with  an  undaunted  determination  of  making,  in 
case  of  need,  a  stout  defence. 


Ubc  pilot 


St.  Ruth  lay  but  a  short  two  miles  from  the  ocean,  to 
which  numerous  roads  led,  through  the  grounds  of  the  Ab- 
bey, which  extended  to  the  shore.  Along  one  of  these  paths 
Dillon  conducted  his  party,  until,  after  a  few  minutes  of  hard 
riding,  they  approached  the  cliffs,  when,  posting  his  troopers 
under  cover  of  a  little  copse,  the  cornet  rode  in  advance  with 
his  guide,  to  the  verge  of  the  perpendicular  rocks,  whose 
bases  were  washed  by  the  foam  that  still  whitened  the  waters 
from  the  surges  of  the  subsiding  sea. 

The  gale  had  broken  before  the  escape  of  the  prisoners  ; 
and  as  the  power  of  the  eastern  tempest  had  gradually  di- 
minished, a  light  current  from  the  south,  that  blew  directly 
along  the  land,  prevailed  ;  and,  though  the  ocean  still  rolled 
in  fearful  billows,  their  surfaces  were  smooth,  and  they  were 
becoming,  at  each  moment,  less  precipitous  and  more  regu- 
lar. The  eyes  of  the  horsemen  were  cast  in  vain  over  the 
immense  expanse  of  water  that  was  glistening  brightly  under 
the  rays  of  the  sun,  which  had  just  risen  from  its  bosom,  in 
quest  of  some  object,  or  distant  sail,  that  might  confirm  their 
suspicions,  or  relieve  their  doubts.  But  everything  of  that 
description  appeared  to  have  avoided  the  dangerous  naviga- 
tion during  the  violence  of  the  late  tempest,  and  Dillon  was 
withdrawing  his  eyes  in  disappointment  from  the  vacant 
view,  when,  as  they  fell  towards  the  shore,  he  beheld  that 
which  caused  him  to  exclaim, — 

"  There  they  go  !  and,  by  Heaven,  they  will  escape  !  " 

The  comet  looked  in  the  direction  of  the  other's  finger, 
when  he  beheld,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  land,  and  ap- 
parently immediately  under  his  feet,  a  little  boat  that  looked 
like  a  dark  shell  upon  the  water,  rising  and  sinking  amid  the 
waves,  as  if  the  men  it  obviously  contained  were  resting  on 
their  oars  in  idle  expectation. 

" 'T  is  they!"  continued  Dillon;  "or,  what  is  more 
probable,  it  is  their  boat  waiting  to  convey  them  to  their 
vessel ;  no  common  business  would  induce  seamen  to  lie 
in  this  careless  manner,  within  such  a  narrow  distance  of 
the  surf." 

' '  And  what  is  to  be  done  ?  They  cannot  be  made  to  feel 
horse  where  they  are ;  nor  would  the  muskets  of  the  foot  be 


l82 


trbe  pilot 


of  any  use.  A  light  three-pounder  would  do  its  work  hand- 
somely  on  them  !  ' ' 

The  strong  desire  which  Dillon  entertained  to  intercept,  or 
rather  to  destroy  the  party,  rendered  him  prompt  at  expedi- 
ents.   After  a  moment  of  musing,  he  replied, — 

* '  The  runaways  must  yet  be  on  the  land  ;  and  by  scour- 
ing the  coast,  and  posting  men  at  proper  intervals,  their 
retreat  can  easily  be  prevented  ;  in  the  meantime  I  will  ride 
under  the  spur  to  bay,  where  one  of  his  majesty's  cut- 
ters now  lies  at  anchor.  It  is  but  half  an  hour  of  hard  rid- 
ing, and  I  can  be  on  board  of  her.  The  wind  blows  directly 
in  her  favor  ;  and  if  we  can  once  bring  her  down  behind  that 
headland,  we  shall  infallibly  cut  off  or  sink  these  midnight 
depredators." 

''Off,  then!"  cried  the  comet,  whose  young  blood  was 
boiling  for  a  skirmish  ;  *  *  you  will  at  least  drive  them  to  the 
shore,  where  I  can  deal  with  them." 

The  words  were  hardly  uttered,  before  Dillon,  after  gal- 
loping furiously  along  the  cliffs,  and  turning  short  into  a 
thick  wood  that  lay  in  his  route,  was  out  of  sight.  The  loy- 
alty of  this  gentleman  was  altogether  of  a  calculating  nature, 
and  was  intimately  connected  with  what  he  considered  his 
fealty  to  himself.  He  believed  that  the  possession  of  Miss 
Howard's  person  and  fortune  were  advantages  that  would 
much  more  than  counterbalance  any  elevation  that  he  was 
likely  to  obtain  by  the  revolution  of  affairs  in  his  native 
colony.  He  considered  Grifl&th  as  the  only  natural  obstacle 
to  his  success  ;  and  he  urged  his  horse  forward  with  a  des- 
perate determination  to  work  the  ruin  of  the  young  sailor, 
before  another  sun  had  set.  When  a  man  labors  in  an  evil 
cause,  with  such  feelings,  and  with  such  incentives,  he  sel- 
dom slights  or  neglects  his  work  ;  and  Mr.  Dillon,  accord- 
ingly, was  on  board  the  Alacrity  several  minutes  short  of  the 
time  in  which  he  had  promised  to  perform  the  distance. 

The  plain  old  seaman  who  commanded  the  cutter,  listened 
to  his  tale  with  cautious  ears  ;  and  examined  into  the  state 
of  the  weather,  and  other  matters  connected  with  his  duty 
with  the  slow  and  deliberate  decision  of  one  who  had  never 
done  much  to  acquire  a  confidence  in  himself,  and  who  had 


Ubc  pilot 


•83 


been  but  niggardly  rewarded  for  the  little  he  had  actually 
performed. 

As  Dillon  was  urgent,  however,  and  the  day  seemed  pro- 
pitious, he  at  length  decided  to  act  as  he  was  desired,  and 
the  cutter  was  accordingly  gotten  under  way. 

A  crew  of  something  less  than  fifty  men  moved  with  no 
little  of  their  commander's  deliberation  ;  but  as  the  little  vessel 
rounded  the  point  behind  which  she  had  been  anchored,  her 
guns  were  cleared,  and  the  usual  preparations  were  completed 
for  immediate  and  actual  service. 

Dillon,  sorely  against  his  will,  was  compelled  to  continue 
on  board,  in  order  to  point  out  the  place  where  the  tmsus- 
pecting  boatmen  were  expected  to  be  entrapped.  Every- 
thing being  ready,  when  they  had  gained  a  safe  distance 
from  the  land,  the  Alacrity  was  kept  away  before  the  wind, 
and  glided  along  the  shore  with  a  swift  and  easy  progress 
that  promised  a  speedy  execution  of  the  business  in  which 
ker  commander  had  embarked. 


CHAPTER  XVII, 


"  Very  like  a  whale." 

Hamlet 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  object  of  their  expedi- 
tion was  of  a  public  nature,  the  feelings  which 
had  induced  both  GrifiBth  and  Barnstable  to  ac- 
company the  Pilot  with  so  much  willingness,  it 
will  easily  be  seen,  were  entirely  personal.  The  short  in- 
tercourse that  he  had  maintained  with  his  associates  enabled 
the  mysterious  leader  of  their  party  to  understand  the  char- 
acters of  his  two  principal  officers  so  thoroughly,  as  to 
induce  him,  when  he  landed,  with  the  purpose  of  recon- 
noitring to  ascertain  whether  the  objects  of  his  pursuit  still 
held  their  determination  to  assemble  at  the  appointed  hour, 
to  choose  Griffith  and  Manual  as  his  only  associates,  leaving 
Barnstable  in  command  of  his  own  vessel,  to  await  their 
return,  and  to  cover  their  retreat.  A  good  deal  of  argu- 
ment, and  some  little  of  the  authority  of  his  superior  officer, 
was  necessary  to  make  Barnstable  quietly  acquiesce  in  this 
arrangement ;  but  as  his  good  sense  told  him  that  nothing 
should  be  unnecessarily  hazarded,  until  the  moment  to  strike 
the  final  blow  had  arrived,  he  became  gradually  more 
resigned  ;  taking  care,  however,  to  caution  Griffith  to  recon- 
noitre the  Abbey  while  his  companion  was  reconnoitring 

 house.     It  was  the  strong  desire  of  Griffith  to  comply 

with  this  injunction,  which  carried  them  a  little  out  of  their 
proper  path,  and  led  to  the  consequences  that  we  have  partly- 
related.  The  evening  of  that  daj^  was  the  time  when  the 
Pilot  intended  to  complete  his  enterprise,  thinking  to  entrap 
his  game  while  enjoying  the  festivities  that  usually  succeeded 

184 


Ube  pilot 


their  sports  ;  and  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  was  ap- 
pointed, when  Barnstable  should  appear  at  the  nearest 
point  to  the  Abbey,  and  take  off  his  countrymen,  in  order 
that  they  might  be  as  little  as  possible  subjected  to  the  gaze 
of  their  enemies  by  daylight.  If  they  failed  to  arrive  at 
the  appointed  time,  his  instructions  were  to  return  to  his 
schooner,  which  lay  snugly  embayed  in  a  secret  and  retired 
haven,  that  but  few  ever  approached,  either  by  land  or 
water. 

While  the  young  cornet  still  continued  gazing  at  the 
whale-boat  (for  it  was  the  party  from  the  schooner  that  he 
saw),  the  hour  expired  for  the  appearance  of  Griffith  and 
his  companions ;  and  Barnstable  reluctantly  determined  to 
comply  with  the  letter  of  his  instructions,  and  leave  them  to 
their  own  sagacity  and  skill  to  regain  the  Ariel.  The  boat 
had  been  suffered  to  ride  in  the  edge  of  the  surf,  since  the 
appearance  of  the  sun  ;  and  the  eyes  of  her  crew  were  kept 
anxiously  fixed  on  the  cliffs,  though  in  vain,  to  discover  the 
signal  that  was  to  call  them  to  the  place  of  landing.  After 
looking  at  his  watch  for  the  twentieth  time,  and  as  often 
casting  glances  of  imeasy  dissatisfaction  towards  the  shore, 
the  lieutenant  exclaimed, — 

"  A  charming  prospect,  this,  Master  Coffin,  but  rather  too 
much  poetry  in  it  for  your  taste  ;  I  believe  you  relish  no 
land  that  is  of  a  harder  consistency  than  mud  ! ' ' 

I  was  born  on  the  waters,  sir,"  returned  the  cockswain, 
from  his  snug  abode,  where  he  was  bestowed  with  his  usual 
economy  of  room,  "and  it's  according  to  all  things  for  a 
man  to  love  his  native  soil.  I  '11  not  deny,  Captain  Barn- 
stable, but  I  would  rather  drop  my  anchor  on  a  bottom  that 
won't  broom  a  keel,  though,  at  the  same  time,  I  harbor  no 
great  malice  against  dry  land. ' ' 

I  shall  never  forgive  it,  myself,  if  any  accident  has 
befallen  Griffith  in  this  excursion,"  rejoined  the  lieutenant ; 
* '  his  pilot  may  be  a  better  man  on  the  water  than  on  terra 
firma,  long  Tom. ' ' 

The  cockswain  turned  his  solemn  visage,  with  an  ex- 
traordinary meaning,  towards  his  commander,  before  he 
replied, — 


i86 


TLDc  pilot 


* '  For  as  long  a  time  as  I  have  followed  the  waters,  sir, 
and  that  has  been  ever  since  I  've  drawn  my  rations,  seeing 
that  I  was  born  while  the  boat  was  crossing  Nantucket 
shoals,  I 've  never  known  a  pilot  come  off  in  greater  need, 
than  the  one  we  fell  in  with,  when  we  made  that  stretch  or 
two  on  the  land,  in  the  dog-watch  of  yesterday." 

Ay,  the  fellow  has  played  his  part  like  a  man ;  the 
occasion  was  great,  and  it  seems  that  he  was  quite  equal  to 
his  work." 

"The  frigate's  people  tell  me,  sir,  that  he  handled  the 
ship  like  a  top, ' '  continued  the  cockswain ;  ' '  but  she  is  a 
ship  that  is  a  nateral  inimy  of  the  bottom  ! ' ' 

"Can  you  say  as  much  for  this  boat,  Master  Coffin?" 
cried  Barnstable  ;  "  keep  her  out  of  the  surf,  or  you  '11  have 
us  rolling  in  upon  the  beach,  presently,  like  an  empty  water- 
cask  ;  you  must  remember  that  we  cannot  all  wade,  like 
yourself,  in  two-fathom  water. ' ' 

The  cockswain  cast  a  cool  glance  at  the  crests  of  foam 
that  were  breaking  over  the  tops  of  the  billows,  within  a 
few  yards  of  where  their  boat  was  riding,  and  called  aloud 
to  his  men, — 

*  *  Pull  a  stroke  or  two  ;  away  with  her  into  dark  water. ' ' 

The  drop  of  the  oars  resembled  the  movements  of  a  nice 
machine,  and  the  light  boat  skimmed  along  the  water  like  a 
duck,  that  approaches  to  the  very  brink  of  some  imminent 
danger,  and  then  avoids  it,  at  the  most  critical  moment, 
apparently  without  an  effort.  While  this  necessarj^  move- 
ment was  making,  Barnstable  arose,  and  surveyed  the  cliffs 
with  keen  eyes,  and  then  turning  once  more  in  disappoint- 
ment from  his  search,  he  said, — 

' '  Pull  more  from  the  land,  and  let  her  run  down  at  an 
easy  stroke  to  the  schooner.  Keep  a  lookout  at  the  cliffs, 
boys  ;  it  is  possible  that  they  are  stowed  in  some  of  the  holes 
in  the  rocks,  for  it 's  no  daylight  business  they  are  on." 

The  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  they  had  glided 
along  for  nearly  a  mile  in  this  manner,  in  the  most  pro- 
found silence,  when  suddenly  the  stillness  was  broken  by  a 
heavy  rush  of  air,  and  a  dash  of  the  water,  seemingly  at  no 
great  distance  from  them. 


xrbe  ipilot 


"By  Heaven,  Tom,"  cried  Barnstable,  starting,  "there 
is  the  blow  of  a  whale  ! ' ' 

Ay,  ay,  sir,"  returned  the  cockswain  with  undisturbed 
composure  ;  ' '  here  is  his  spout  not  half  a  mile  to  seaward  ; 
the  easterly  gale  has  driven  the  creatur'  to  leeward,  and  he 
begins  to  find  himself  in  shoal  water.  He  's  been  sleeping, 
while  he  should  have  been  working  to  windward  !  " 

"The  fellow  takes  it  coolly,  too  !  he  's  in  no  hurry  to  get 
an  offing  ! ' ' 

"  I  rather  conclude,  sir,"  said  the  cockswain,  rolling  over 
his  tobacco  in  his  mouth,  very  composedly,  while  his  little 
sunken  eyes  began  to  twinkle  with  pleasure  at  the  sight, 
"the  gentleman  has  lost  his  reckoning,  and  don't  know 
which  way  to  head  to  take  himself  back  into  blue  water. ' ' 

"  'T  is  a  fin-back  !  "  exclaimed  the  lieutenant ;  "he  will 
soon  make  headway,  and  be  off." 

"  No,  sir,  't  is  a  right  whale,"  answered  Tom;  "I  saw 
his  spout ;  he  threw  up  a  pair  of  as  pretty  rainbows  as  a 
Christian  would  wish  to  look  at.  He  's  a  raal  oil-butt,  that 
fellow  ! ' ' 

Barnstable  laughed,  turned  himself  away  from  the  tempt- 
ing sight,  and  tried  to  look  at  the  cliffs  ;  and  then  uncon- 
sciously bent  his  longing  eyes  again  on  the  sluggish  animal, 
who  was  throwing  his  huge  carcass,  at  times,  for  many  feet 
from  the  water,  in  idle  gambols.  The  temptation  for  sport, 
and  the  recollection  of  his  early  habits,  at  length  prevailed 
over  his  anxiety  in  behalf  of  his  friends,  and  the  young 
officer  inquired  of  his  cockswain, — 

"  Is  there  any  whale-line  in  the  boat,  to  make  fast  to  that 
harpoon  which  you  bear  about  with  you  in  fair  weather  or 
foul?" 

' '  I  never  trust  the  boat  from  the  schooner  without  part  of 
a  shot,  sir,"  returned  the  cockswain  ;  "there  is  something 
nateral  in  the  sight  of  a  tub  to  my  old  eyes. ' ' 

Barnstable  looked  at  his  watch,  and  again  at  the  cliffs, 
when  he  exclaimed,  in  joyous  tones, — 

"Give  strong  way,  my  hearties  !  There  seems  nothing 
better  to  be  done  ;  let  us  have  a  stroke  of  a  harpoon  at  that 
impudent  rascal. ' ' 


i88 


xrbe  pilot 


The  men  shouted  spontaneously,  and  the  old  cockswain 
suffered  his  solemn  visage  to  relax  into  a  small  laugh,  while 
the  whale-boat  sprang  forward  like  a  courser  for  the  goal. 
During  the  few  minutes  they  were  pulling  towards  their 
game,  long  Tom  arose  from  his  crouching  attitude  in  the 
stern-sheets,  and  transferred  his  huge  form  to  the  bows 
of  the  boat,  where  he  made  such  preparations  to  strike  the 
whale  as  the  occasion  required.  The  tub,  containing  about 
half  of  a  whale  line,  was  placed  at  the  feet  of  Barnstable, 
who  had  been  preparing  an  oar  to  steer  with  in  place  of  the 
rudder,  which  was  unshipped,  in  order  that,  if  necessary,  the 
boat  might  be  whirled  round  when  not  advancing. 

Their  approach  was  utterly  unnoticed  by  the  monster  of 
the  deep,  who  continued  to  amuse  himself  with  throwing  the 
water  in  two  circular  spouts  high  into  the  air,  occasionally 
flourishing  the  broad  flukes  of  his  tail  with  a  graceful  but 
terrific  force,  until  the  hardy  seamen  were  within  a  few  hun- 
dred feet  of  him,  when  he  suddenly  cast  his  head  downward, 
and,  without  an  apparent  effort,  reared  his  immense  body  for 
many  feet  above  the  water,  waving  his  tail  violently,  and 
producing  a  whizzing  noise,  that  sounded  like  the  rushing  of 
winds. 

The  cockswain  stood  erect,  poising  his  harpoon,  ready  for 
the  blow  ;  but  when  he  beheld  the  creature  assume  this  for- 
midable attitude,  he  waved  his  hand  to  his  commander,  who 
instantly  signed  to  his  men  to  cease  rowing.  In  this  situ- 
ation the  sportsmen  rested  a  few  moments,  while  the  whale 
struck  several  blows  on  the  water  in  rapid  succession,  the 
noise  of  which  re-echoed  along  the  cliffs,  like  the  hollow 
reports  of  so  many  cannon.  After  this  wanton  exhibition  of 
his  terrible  strength,  the  monster  sank  again  into  his  native 
element,  and  slowly  disappeared  from  the  eyes  of  his  pur- 
suers. 

' '  Which  way  did  he  head,  Tom  ?  ' '  cried  Barnstable,  the 
moment  the  whale  was  out  of  sight. 

"  Pretty  much  up  and  down,  sir,"  returned  the  cockswain, 
whose  eyes  were  gradually  brightening  with  the  excitement 
or  the  sport ;  he  '11  soon  run  his  nose  against  the  bottom 
if  he  stands  lon^  on  that  course,  and  will  be  glad  to  get 


Ube  pilot 


another  snufiF  of  pure  air  ;  send  her  a  few  fathoms  to  star- 
board, sir,  and  I  promise  we  shall  not  be  out  of  his  track." 

The  conjecture  of  the  experienced  old  seaman  proved  true  ; 
for  in  a  few  moments  the  water  broke  near  them,  and  another 
spout  was  cast  into  the  air,  when  the  huge  animal  rushed 
for  half  his  length  in  the  same  direction,  and  fell  on  the  sea 
with  a  turbulence  and  foam  equal  to  that  which  is  produced 
by  the  launching  of  a  vessel,  for  the  first  time,  into  its  proper 
element.  After  this  evolution  the  whale  rolled  heavily,  and 
seemed  to  rest  from  further  efforts. 

His  slightest  movements  were  closely  watched  by  Barn- 
stable and  his  cockswain,  and  when  he  was  in  a  state  of 
comparative  rest,  the  former  gave  a  signal  to  his  crew  to 
ply  their  oars  once  more.  A  few  long  and  vigorous  strokes 
sent  the  boat  directly  up  to  the  broadside  of  the  whale,  with 
its  bows  pointing  towards  one  of  the  fins,  which  was,  at 
times,  as  the  animal  yielded  sluggishly  to  the  action  of  the 
waves,  exposed  to  view.  The  cockswain  poised  his  harpoon 
with  much  precision,  and  then  darted  it  from  him  with  a 
violence  that  bviried  the  iron  in  the  blubber  of  their  foe.  The 
instant  the  blow  was  made,  long  Tom  shouted,  with  singular 
earnestness, — 

*'Starn  all !  " 

'  *  Stern  all !  "  echoed  Barnstable  ;  when  the  obedient  sea- 
men, by  united  efforts,  forced  the  boat  in  a  backward  direc- 
tion beyond  the  reach  of  any  blow  from  their  formidable 
antagonist.  The  alarmed  animal,  however,  meditated  no 
such  resistance  ;  ignorant  of  his  own  power,  and  of  the  in- 
significance of  his  enemies,  he  sought  refuge  in  flight.  One 
moment  of  stupid  surprise  succeeded  the  entrance  of  the  iron, 
when  he  cast  his  huge  tail  into  the  air,  with  a  violence  that 
threw  the  sea  around  him  into  increased  commotion,  and 
then  disappeared  with  the  quickness  of  lightning,  amid  a 
cloud  of  foam. 

Snub  him  !  "  shouted  Barnstable  ;  hold  on,  Tom  ;  he 
rises  already." 

**Ay,  ay,  sir,"  replied  the  composed  cockswain,  seizing 
the  line,  which  was  running  out  of  the  boat  with  a  velocity 
that  rendered  such  a  manoeuvre  rather  hazardous,  and  caus- 


Xlbe  pilot 


ing  it  to  yield  more  gradually  round  the  large  loggerhead 
that  was  placed  in  the  bows  of  the  boat  for  that  purpose. 
Presently  the  line  stretched  forward,  and  rising  to  the  sur- 
face with  tremulous  vibrations,  it  indicated  the  direction 
in  which  the  animal  might  be  expected  to  reappear.  Barn- 
stable had  cast  the  bows  of  the  boat  towards  that  point,  be- 
fore the  terrified  and  wounded  victim  arose  once  more  to  the 
surface,  whose  time  was,  however,  no  longer  wasted  in  his 
sports,  but  who  cast  the  waters  aside,  as  he  forced  his  way, 
with  prodigious  velocity,  along  the  surface.  The  boat  was 
dragged  violently  in  his  wake,  and  cut  through  the  billows 
with  a  terrific  rapidity,  that  at  moments  appeared  to  bury 
the  slight  fabric  in  the  ocean.  When  long  Tom  beheld  his 
victim  throwing  his  spouts  on  high  again,  he  pointed  with 
exultation  to  the  jetting  fluid,  which  was  streaked  with  the 
deep  red  of  blood,  and  cried, — 

''Ay,  I've  touched  the  fellow's  life!  it  must  be  more 
than  two  foot  of  blubber  that  stops  my  iron  from  reaching 
the  life  of  any  whale  that  ever  sculled  the  ocean  !  " 

' '  I  believe  you  have  saved  yourself  the  trouble  of  using 
the  bayonet  you  have  rigged  for  a  lance,"  said  his  com- 
mander, who  entered  into  the  sport  with  all  the  ardor  of 
one  whose  youth  has  been  chiefly  passed  in  such  pursuits : 
* '  feel  your  line,  Master  Cofiin  ;  can  we  haul  alongside  of 
our  enemy  ?  I  like  not  the  course  he  is  steering,  as  he  tows 
us  from  the  schooner. ' ' 

"  'T  is  the  creatur's  way,  sir,"  said  the  cockswain  ;  "  you 
know  they  need  the  air  in  their  nostrils,  when  they  run,  the 
same  as  a  man  ;  but  lay  hold,  boys,  and  let 's  haul  up  to  him." 

The  seamen  now  seized  the  whale-line,  and  slowly  drew 
their  boat  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  tail  of  the  fish,  whose 
progress  became  sensibly  less  rapid,  as  he  grew  weak  with 
the  loss  of  blood.  In  a  few  minutes  he  stopped  running, 
and  appeared  to  roll  uneasily  on  the  water,  as  if  sufiering 
the  agony  of  death. 

"Shall  we  pull  in,  and  finish  him,  Tom?"  cried  Barn- 
stable ;  "a  few  sets  from  your  bayonet  would  do  it. ' ' 

The  cockswain  stood  examining  his  game  with  cool  dis- 
Dretion,  and  replied  to  this  interrogatory, — 


XTbe  pilot 


**  No,  sir,  no — he  's  going  into  his  flurry  ;  there  's  no  oc- 
casion for  disgracing  ourselves  by  using  a  soldier's  weapon 
in  taking  a  whale.  Starn  off,  sir,  starn  off!  the  creatur  's  in 
his  flurry  ! ' ' 

The  warning  of  the  prudent  cockswain  was  promptly 
obeyed,  and  the  boat  cautiously  drew  off  to  a  distance, 
leaving  to  the  animal  a  clear  space,  while  under  its  dying 
agonies.  From  a  state  of  perfect  rest,  the  terrible  monster 
threw  its  tail  on  high,  as  when  in  sport,  but  its  blows  were 
trebled  in  rapidity  and  violence,  till  all  was  hid  from  view 
by  a  pyramid  of  foam,  that  was  deeply  dyed  with  blood. 
The  roarings  of  the  fish  were  like  the  bellowing  of  a  herd 
of  bulls  ;  and  to  one  who  was  ignorant  of  the  fact,  it  would 
have  appeared  as  if  a  thousand  monsters  were  engaged  in 
deadly  combat,  behind  the  bloody  mist  that  obstructed  the 
view.  Gradually,  these  effects  subsided,  and  when  the  dis- 
colored water  again  settled  down  to  the  long  and  regular 
swell  of  the  ocean,  the  fish  was  seen,  exhausted,  and  yield- 
ing passively  to  its  fate.  As  life  departed,  the  enormous 
black  mass  rolled  to  one  side  ;  and  when  the  white  and  glis- 
tening skin  of  the  belly  became  apparent,  the  seamen  well 
knew  that  their  victory  was  achieved. 

''What 's  to  be  done  now?  "  said  Barnstable,  as  he  stood 
and  gazed  with  a  diminished  excitement  at  their  victim ; 
*'he  will  yield  no  food,  and  his  carcass  will  probably  drift 
to  land,  and  furnish  our  enemies  with  the  oil." 

"  If  I  had  but  that  creatur'  in  Boston  Bay,"  said  the 
cockswain,  "  it  would  prove  the  making  of  me  ;  but  such  is 
my  luck  forever  !  Pull  up,  at  any  rate,  and  let  me  get  my 
harpoon  and  line — the  English  shall  never  get  them  while 
old  Tom  Coffin  can  blow." 

"  Don't  speak  too  fast,"  said  the  strokesman  of  the  boat ; 
*' whether  you  get  your  iron  or  not,  here  he  comes  in 
chase ! ' ' 

*'  What  mean  you,  fellow?  "  cried  Barnstable. 

"Captain  Barnstable  can  look  for  himself,"  returned  the 
seaman,     and  tell  whether  I  speak  truth." 

The  young  sailor  turned,  and  saw  the  Alacrity,  bearing 
down  before  the  wind,  with  all  her  sails  set,  as  she  rounded 


192 


Zbc  pilot 


a  headland,  but  a  short  half-league  to  windward  of  the  place 
where  the  boat  lay. 

"Pass  that  glass  to  me,"  said  the  captain,  with  steady 
composure.  ' '  This  promises  us  work  in  one  of  two  ways  : 
if  she  be  armed,  it  has  become  our  turn  to  run  ;  if  not,  we 
are  strong  enough  to  carry  her. ' ' 

A  very  brief  survey  made  the  experienced  officer  ac- 
quainted with  the  true  character  of  the  vessel  in  sight ;  and, 
replacing  the  glass  with  much  coolness,  he  said, — 

"That  fellow  shows  long  arms,  and  ten  teeth,  beside 
King  George's  pennant  from  his  topmast-head.  Now,  my 
lads,  you  are  to  pull  for  your  lives ;  for  whatever  may  be 
the  notions  of  Mr.  Coffin  on  the  subject  of  his  harpoon,  I 
have  no  inclination  to  have  my  arms  pinioned  by  John  Bull, 
though  his  majesty  himself  put  on  the  irons." 

The  men  well  understood  the  manner  and  meaning  of 
their  commander;  and,  throwing  aside  their  coats,  they 
applied  themselves  in  earnest  to  their  task.  For  half  an 
hour  a  profound  silence  reigned  in  the  boat,  which  made  an 
amazing  progress.  But  many  circumstances  conspired  to 
aid  the  cutter ;  she  had  a  fine  breeze,  with  smooth  water, 
and  a  strong  tide  in  her  favor ;  and,  at  the  expiration  of 
the  time  we  have  mentioned,  it  was  but  too  apparent  that 
the  distance  between  the  pursued  and  the  pursuers  was 
lessened  nearly  half.  Barnstable  preserved  his  steady  coun- 
tenance, but  there  was  an  expression  of  care  gathering 
around  his  dark  brow,  which  indicated  that  he  saw  the  in- 
creasing danger  of  their  situation. 

"  That  fellow  has  long  legs,  Master  Coffin,"  he  said,  in  a 
cheerful  tone;  "your  whale-line  must  go  overboard,  and 
the  fifth  oar  must  be  handled  by  your  delicate  hands." 

Tom  arose  from  his  seat,  and  proceeding  forward,  he  cast 
the  tub  and  its  contents  together  into  the  sea,  when  he  seated 
himself  at  the  bow  oar,  and  bent  his  athletic  frame  with 
amazing  vigor  to  the  task. 

' '  Ah  !  there  is  much  of  your  philosophy  in  that  stroke, 
long  Tom,"  cried  his  commander  ;  "  keep  it  up,  boys  ;  and 
if  we  gain  nothing  else,  we  shall  at  least  gain  time  for 
deliberation.   Come,  Master  Coffin,  what  think  you  !  we  have 


Ube  pilot 


193 


three  resources  before  us  ;  let  us  hear  which  is  your  choice  : 
first,  we  can  turn  and  fight  and  be  sunk  ;  secondly,  we  can 
pull  to  the  land,  and  endeavor  to  make  good  our  retreat  to 
the  schooner  in  that  manner  ;  and  thirdly,  we  can  head  to 
the  shore,  and  possibly,  by  running  under  the  guns  of  that 
fellow,  get  the  wind  of  him,  and  keep  the  air  in  our  nostrils, 
after  the  manner  of  the  whale.  Damn  the  whale  !  but  for 
the  tow  the  black  rascal  gave  us,  we  should  have  been  out 
of  sight  of  this  rover  !" 

If  we  fight,"  said  Tom,  with  quite  as  much  composure 
as  his  commander  manifested,  *  *  we  shall  be  taken  or  sunk  ; 
if  we  land,  sir,  I  shall  be  taken  for  one  man,  as  I  never  could 
make  any  headway  on  dry  ground  ;  and  if  we  try  to  get  the 
wind  of  him  by  pulling  under  the  cliffs,  we  shall  be  cut  off 
by  a  parcel  of  lubbers  that  I  can  see  running  along  their 
edges,  hoping,  I  dare  say,  that  they  shall  be  able  to  get  a 
skulking  shot  at  a  boat's  crew  of  honest  seafaring  men." 

"You  speak  with  as  much  truth  as  philosophy,  Tom," 
said  Barnstable,  who  saw  his  slender  hopes  of  success  ctu- 
tailed,  by  the  open  appearance  of  the  horse  and  foot  on  the 
clifis.  ' '  These  Englishmen  have  not  slept  the  last  night, 
and  I  fear  Griffith  and  Manual  will  fare  but  badly.  That 
fellow  brings  a  capful  of  wind  down  with  him — 'tis  just  his 
play,  and  he  walks  like  a  race-horse.  Ha  !  he  begins  to  be 
in  earnest  !  " 

While  Barnstable  was  speaking,  a  column  of  white  smoke 
was  seen  issuing  from  the  bows  of  the  cutter ;  and  as  the 
report  of  a  cannon  was  wafted  to  their  ears,  the  shot  was 
seen  skipping  from  wave  to  wave,  tossing  the  water  in  spray, 
and  flying  to  a  considerable  distance  beyond  them.  The 
seamen  cast  cursory  glances  in  the  direction  of  the  passing 
ball,  but  it  produced  no  manifest  effect  in  either  their  con- 
duct or  appearance.  The  cockswain,  who  scanned  its  range 
with  an  eye  of  more  practice  than  the  rest,  observed, 
''That's  a  lively  piece  for  its  metal  audit  speaks  with  a 
good  clear  voice  ;  but  if  they  hear  it  aboard  the  Ariel,  the 
man  who  fired  it  will  be  sorry  it  was  n't  born  dumb. ' ' 

' '  You  are  the  prince  of  philosophers.  Master  Coffin  !  ' ' 

cried  Barnstable ;  ' '  there  is  some  hope  in  that ;  let  the  Bng- 

13 


194 


XTbe  pilot 


lishmen  talk  away,  and  my  life  on  it,  the  Ariels  don't 
believe  it  is  thunder  ;  hand  me  a  musket — I  '11  draw  an- 
other shot. ' ' 

The  piece  was  given  to  Barnstable,  who  discharged  it 
several  times,  as  if  to  taunt  their  enemies  ;  and  the  scheme 
was  completely  successful.  Goaded  by  the  insults,  the  cutter 
discharged  gun  after  gun  at  the  little  boat,  throwing  the 
shot  frequently  so  near  as  to  wet  her  crew  with  the  spray, 
but  without  injuring  them  in  the  least.  The  failure  of 
these  attempts  of  the  enemy  excited  the  mirth  of  the  reck- 
less seamen,  instead  of  creating  any  alarm  ;  and  whenever  a 
shot  came  nearer  than  common,  the  cockswain  would  utter 
some  such  expression  as — 

"  A  ground  swell,  a  long  shot,  and  a  small  object,  make  a 
clean  target ;  "  or,  "A  man  must  squint  straight  to  hit  a 
boat." 

As,  notwithstanding  their  unsuccessful  gunnery,  the  cut* 
ter  was  constantly  gaining  on  the  whale-boat,  there  was  a 
prospect  of  a  speedy  termination  of  the  chase,  when  the  re- 
port of  a  cannon  was  thrown  back  like  an  echo  from  one  of 
the  Englishman's  discharges,  and  Barnstable  and  his  com- 
panions had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  Ariel  stretching 
slowly  out  of  the  little  bay  where  she  had  passed  the  night, 
with  the  smoke  of  the  gun  of  defiance  curling  above  her 
taper  masts. 

A  loud  and  simultaneous  shout  of  rapture  was  given  by 
the  lieutenant  and  all  his  boat's  crew,  at  this  cheering 
sight,  while  the  cutter  took  in  all  her  light  sails,  and, 
as  she  hauled  up  on  a  wind,  she  fired  a  whole  broadside 
at  the  successful  fugitives.  Many  stands  of  grape,  with 
several  round  shot,  flew  by  the  boat,  and  fell  upon  the 
water  near  them,  raising  a  cloud  of  foam,  but  without  doing 
any  injury. 

She  dies, in  a  flurry,"  said  Tom,  casting  his  eyes  at  the 
little  vortex  into  which  the  boat  was  then  entering, 

*'If  her  commander  be  a  true  man,"  cried  Barnstable, 
"  he  '11  not  leave  us  on  so  short  an  acquaintance.  Give  way, 
my  souls  !  give  way  !  I  would  see  more  of  this  loquacious 
cruiser." 


UDc  pilot 


195 


The  temptation  for  exertion  was  great,  and  it  was  not  dis- 
regarded by  the  men  ;  in  a  few  minutes  the  whale-boat 
reached  the  schooner,  when  the  crew  of  the  latter  received 
their  commander  and  his  companions  with  shouts  and 
cheers  that  rang  across  the  waters,  and  reached  the  ears  of 
the  disappointed  spectators  on  the  verge  of  the  cliffs. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


"  Thus  guided  on  their  course  they  bore, 
Until  they  neared  the  mainland  shore ; 
When  frequent  on  the  hollow  blast, 
Wild  shouts  of  merriment  were  cast." 

Lord  of  the  Isles. 

THE  joyful  shouts  and  hearty  cheers  of  the  Ariel's 
crew  continued  for  some  time  after  her  commander 
had  reached  her  deck.    Barnstable  answered  the 
congratulations  of  his  officers  by  cordial  shakes 
of  the  hand  ;  and  after  waiting  for  the  ebullition  of  delight 
among  the  seamen  to  subside  a  little,  he  beckoned  with  an 
air  of  authority  for  silence. 

''I  thank  you,  my  lads,  for  your  good- will,"  he  said,  when 
all  were  gathered  around  him  in  deep  attention  :  ' '  they 
have  given  us  a  tough  chase,  and  if  you  had  left  us  another 
mile  to  go,  we  had  been  lost.  That  fellow  is  a  king's  cutter  ; 
and  though  his  disposition  to  run  to  leeward  is  a  good  deal 
mollified,  yet  he  shows  sign  of  fight.  At  any  rate,  he  is 
stripping  ofi"  some  of  his  clothes,  which  looks  as  if  he  were 
game.  Luckily  for  us.  Captain  Manual  has  taken  all  the 
marines  ashore  with  him  (though  what  he  has  done  with 
them  or  himself,  is  a  mystery),  or  we  should  have  had  our 
decks  lumbered  with  live  cattle  ;  but,  as  it  is,  we  have  a 
good  working  breeze,  tolerably  smooth  water,  and  a  dead 
match  !  There  is  a  sort  of  national  obligation  on  us  to 
whip  that  fellow  ;  and  therefore,  without  more  words  about 
the  matter,  let  us  turn  to  and  do  it,  that  we  may  get  our 
breakfasts. ' ' 

To  this  specimen  of  marine  eloquence  the  crew  cheered 
as  usual,  the  young  men  burning  for  the  combat,  and  the 


Zbc  pilot 


197 


few  old  sailors  who  belonged  to  the  schooner  shaking  their 
heads  with  infinite  satisfaction,  and  swearing  by  sundry- 
strange  oaths  that  their  captain  could  talk,  when  there 
was  need  of  such  thing,  like  the  best  dictionary  that  ever 
was  launched." 

During  this  short  harangue,  and  the  subsequent  com- 
ments, the  Ariel  had  been  kept  under  a  cloud  of  canvas, 
as  near  to  the  wind  as  she  could  lie  ;  and  as  this  was  her 
best  sailing,  she  had  stretched  swiftly  out  from  the  land,  to  a 
distance  whence  the  cliffs,  and  the  soldiers  who  were  spread 
along  their  summits,  became  plainly  visible.  Barnstable 
turned  his  glass  repeatedly,  from  the  cutter  to  the  shore,  as 
different  feelings  predominated  in  his  breast,  before  he  again 
spoke. 

"If  Mr.  Griffith  is  stowed  away  among  those  rocks,"  he 
at  length  said,  * '  he  shall  see  as  pretty  an  argument  dis- 
cussed, in  as  few  words,  as  he  ever  listened  to,  provided  the 
gentlemen  in  yonder  cutter  have  not  changed  their  minds 
as  to  the  road  they  intend  to  journey — what  think  you, 
Mr.  Merry  ?  ' ' 

"I  wish  with  all  my  heart  and  soul,  sir,"  returned  the 
fearless  boy,  * '  that  Mr.  Griffith  was  safe  aboard  us ;  it 
seems  the  country  is  alarmed,  and  God  knows  what  will 
happen  if  he  is  taken  !  As  to  the  fellow  to  windward,  he  '11 
find  it  easier  to  deal  with  the  Ariel's  boat  than  with  her 
mother  ;  but  he  carries  a  broad  sail  ;  I  question  if  he  means 
to  show  play." 

* '  Never  doubt  him,  boy, ' '  said  Barnstable  ;  "he  is  working 
off  the  shore,  like  a  man  of  sense,  and  besides,  he  has  his 
spectacles  on,  trying  to  make  out  what  tribe  of  Yankee 
Indians  we  belong  to.  You  '11  see  him  come  to  the  wind 
presently,  and  send  a  few  pieces  of  iron  down  this  way,  by 
way  of  letting  us  know  where  to  find  him.  Much  as  I  like 
your  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  Merry,  I  would  rather  leave  him 
on  the  land  this  day,  than  see  him  on  my  decks.  I  want 
no  fighting  captain  to  work  this  boat  for  me  !  But  tell  the 
drummer,  sir,  to  beat  to  quarters." 

The  boy,  who  was  staggering  under  the  weight  of  his 
melodious  instrument,  had  been  expecting  this  command, 


Ube  ipflot 


and,  without  waiting  for  the  midshipman  to  communicate 
the  order,  he  commenced  that  short  rub-a-dub  air,  that  will 
at  any  time  rouse  a  thousand  men  from  the  deepest  sleep 
and  cause  them  to  fly  to  their  m^eans  of  offence  with  a  com- 
mon soul.  The  crew  of  the  Ariel  had  been  collected  in 
groups,  studying  the  appearance  of  the  enemy,  cracking 
their  jokes,  and  waiting  only  for  this  usual  order  to  repair 
to  the  guns  ;  and  at  the  first  tap  of  the  drum,  they  spread 
with  steadiness  to  the  different  parts  of  the  little  vessel, 
where  their  various  duties  called  them.  The  cannon  were 
surrounded  by  small  parties  of  vigorous  and  athletic  young 
men  ;  the  few  marines  were  drawn  up  in  array  with  mus- 
kets ;  the  officers  appeared  in  their  boarding-caps,  with 
pistols  stuck  in  their  belts,  and  naked  sabres  in  their  hands. 
Barnstable  paced  his  little  quarter-deck  with  a  firm  tread, 
dangling  a  speaking-trumpet,  by  its  lanyard  on  his  fore- 
finger, or  occasionally  applying  the  glass  to  his  eye,  which, 
when  not  in  use,  was  placed  under  one  arm,  while  his  sword 
was  resting  against  the  foot  of  the  mainmast ;  a  pair  of 
heavy  ship's  pistols  were  thrust  into  his  belt  also  ;  and  piles 
of  muskets,  boarding-pikes,  and  naked  sabres,  were  placed 
on  different  parts  of  the  deck.  The  laugh  of  the  seamen 
was  heard  no  longer ;  and  those  who  spoke  uttered  their 
thoughts  only  in  low  and  indistinct  whispers. 

The  English  cutter  held  her  way  from  the  land,  until  she 
got  an  offing  of  more  than  two  miles,  when  she  reduced  her 
sails  to  a  yet  smaller  number  ;  and  heaving  into  the  wind, 
she  fired  a  gun  in  a  direction  opposite  to  that  which  pointed 
to  the  Ariel. 

"  Now  I  would  wager  a  quintal  of  codfish.  Master  Coffin," 
said  Barnstable,  ' '  against  the  best  cask  of  porter  that  was 
ever  brewed  in  England,  that  fellow  believes  a  Yankee 
schooner  can  fly  in  the  wind's  eye  !  If  he  wishes  to  speak 
to  us,  why  don't  he  give  his  cutter  a  little  sheet,  and  come 
down  ? ' ' 

The  cockswain  had  made  his  arrangements  for  the  com- 
bat, with  much  more  method  and  philosophy  than  any  other 
man  in  the  vessel.  When  the  drum  beat  to  quarters,  he 
threw  aside  his  jacket,  vest,  and  shirt,  with  as  little  hesita- 


Xrbe  pilot 


199  ^ 


tion  as  if  lie  stood  under  an  American  sun,  and  with  all  the 
discretion  of  a  man  who  had  engaged  in  an  undertaking 
that  required  the  free  use  of  his  utmost  powers.  As  he 
was  known  to  be  a  privileged  individual  in  the  Ariel,  and 
one  whose  opinions,  in  all  matters  of  seamanship,  were 
regarded  as  oracles  by  the  crew,  and  were  listened  to  by 
his  commander  with  no  little  demonstration  of  respect,  the 
question  excited  no  surprise.  He  was  standing  at  the 
breech  of  his  long  gun,  with  his  brawny  arms  folded  on  a 
breast  that  had  been  turned  to  the  color  of  blood  by  long 
exposure,  his  grizzled  locks  fluttering  in  the  breeze,  and  his 
tall  form  towering  far  above  the  heads  of  all  near  him. 

"  He  hugs  the  wind,  sir,  as  if  it  was  his  sweetheart,"  was 
his  answer;  "but  he'll  let  go  his  hold  soon;  and  if  he 
don't,  we  can  find  a  way  to  make  him  fall  to  leeward." 

* '  Keep  a  good  full ! ' '  cried  the  commander,  in  a  stern 
voice ;  * '  and  let  the  vessel  go  through  the  water.  That 
fellow  walks  well,  long  Tom  ;  but  we  are  too  much  for  him 
on  a  bowline ;  though,  if  he  continue  to  draw  ahead  in  this 
manner,  it  will  be  night  before  we  can  get  alongside  him." 

' '  Ay,  ay,  sir, ' '  returned  the  cockswain  ;  ' '  them  cutters 
carries  a  press  of  canvas  when  they  seem  to  have  but  little  ; 
their  gaffs  are  all  the  same  as  young  booms,  and  spread  a 
broad  head  to  their  mainsails.  But  it's  no  hard  matter  to 
knock  a  few  cloths  out  of  their  bolt-ropes,  when  she  will 
drop  astarn  and  to  leeward." 

"  I  believe  there  is  good  sense  in  your  scheme,  this  time," 
said  Barnstable  ;  for  I  am  anxious  about  the  frigate's  peo- 
ple— though  I  hate  a  noisy  chase ;  speak  to  him,  Tom,  and 
let  us  see  if  he  will  answer. ' ' 

**Ay,  ay,  sir,"  cried  the  cockswain,  sinking  his  body  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  let  his  head  fall  to  a  level  with  the 
cannon  that  he  controlled,  when,  after  divers  orders,  and 
sundry  movements  to  govern  the  direction  of  the  piece,  he 
applied  a  match,  with  a  rapid  motion,  to  the  priming.  An 
immense  body  of  white  smoke  rushed  from  the  muzzle  of 
the  cannon,  followed  by  a  sheet  of  vivid  fire,  until,  losing 
its  power,  it  yielded  to  the  wind,  and  as  it  rose  from  the 
water,  spread  like  a  cloud,  and,  passing  through  the  masts 


200 


XTbe  IPilot 


of  the  schooner,  was  driven  far  to  leeward,  and  soon  blended 
in  the  mists  which  were  swiftly  scudding  before  the  fresh 
breezes  of  the  ocean. 

Although  many  curious  eyes  were  watching  this  beautiful 
sight  from  the  cliffs,  there  was  too  little  of  novelty  in  the 
exhibition  to  attract  a  single  look  of  the  crew  of  the 
schooner,  from  the  more  important  examination  of  the  effect 
of  the  shot  on  their  enemy.  Barnstable  sprang  lightly  on 
a  gun,  and  watched  the  instant  when  the  ball  would  strike 
with  keen  interest,  while  long  Tom  threw  himself  aside 
from  the  line  of  the  smoke  with  a  similar  intention ;  hold- 
ing one  of  his  long  arms  extended  towards  his  namesake, 
with  a  finger  on  the  vent,  and  supporting  his  frame  by  plac- 
ing the  hand  of  the  other  on  the  deck,  as  his  eyes  glanced 
through  an  opposite  port-hole,  in  an  attitude  that  most  men 
might  have  despaired  of  imitating  with  success. 

' '  There  go  the  chips  ! ' '  cried  Barnstable.  *  *  Bravo  !  Mas- 
ter Coffin,  you  never  planted  iron  in  the  ribs  of  an  English- 
man with  more  judgment.  Let  him  have  another  piece  of 
it;  and  if  he  likes  the  sport,  we'll  play  a  game  of  long 
bowls  with  him  ! ' ' 

"Ay,  ay,  sir,"  returned  the  cockswain,  who,  the  instant 
he  witnessed  the  effects  of  his  shot,  had  returned  to  superin- 
tend the  reloading  of  his  gun  ;  "  if  he  holds  on  half  an  hour 
longer,  I  '11  dub  him  down  to  our  own  size,  when  we  can 
close  and  make  an  even  fight  of  it. ' ' 

The  drum  of  the  Englishman  was  now,  for  the  first  time, 
heard,  rattling  across  the  waters,  and  echoing  the  call  to 
quarters,  that  had  already  proceeded  from  the  Ariel. 

' '  Ah  !  you  have  sent  him  to  his  guns  ! ' '  said  Barnstable  ; 
"  we  shall  now  hear  more  of  it ;  wake  him  up,  Tom — wake 
him  up ! " 

* '  We  shall  start  him  on  end,  or  put  him  to  sleep  alto- 
gether, shortly,"  said  the  deliberate  cockswain,  who  never 
allowed  himself  to  be  at  all  hurried,  even  by  his  commander. 
"  My  shot  are  pretty  much  like  a  shoal  of  porpoises,  and 
commonly  sail  in  each  other's  wake.  Stand  by — heave  her 
breech  forward — so ;  get  out  of  that,  you  damned  young 
reprobate,  and  let  my  harpoon  alone  ! ' ' 


Ube  pilot 


90I 


**What  are  you  at,  there,  Master  Coffin?**  cried  Barn- 
stable ;  "are  you  tongue-tied ? ' ' 

"  Here 's  one  of  the  boys  skylarking  with  my  harpoon  in 
the  lee-scuppers,  and  by-and-by,  when  I  shall  want  it  most, 
there  '11  be  a  no-man's-land  to  hunt  for  it  in." 

"Never  mind  the  boy,  Tom;  send  him  aft  here  to  me, 
and  I'll  polish  his  behavior;  give  the  Englishman  some 
more  iron." 

"I  want  the  little  villain  to  pass  up  my  cartridges,"  re- 
turned the  angry  old  seaman  ;  "  but  if  you'll  be  so  good, 
sir,  as  to  hit  him  a  crack  or  two,  now  and  then,  as  he  goes 
by  you  to  the  magazine,  the  monkey  will  learn  his  manners, 
and  the  schooner's  work  will  be  all  the  better  done  for  it. 
A  young  herring-faced  monkey  !  to  meddle  with  a  tool  ye 
don't  know  the  use  of.  If  your  parents  had  spent  more  of 
their  money  on  your  edication,  and  less  on  your  outfit,  you 'd 
ha'  been  a  gentleman  to  what  ye  are  now. ' ' 

"Hurrah!  Tom,  hurrah!"  cried  Barnstable,  a  little 
impatiently  ;  "is  yoiu"  namesake  never  to  open  his  throat 
again  !  " 

* '  Ay,  ay,  sir  ;  all  ready, ' '  grumbled  the  cockswain  ; 
* '  depress  a  little  ;  so — so  ;  a  damned  young  baboon-behaved 
curmudgeon ;  overhaul  that  forward  fall  more ;  stand  by 
with  your  match — but  I'll  pay  him! — fire!"  This  was 
the  actual  commencement  of  the  fight ;  for  as  the  shot  of 
Tom  Coffin  travelled,  as  he  had  intimated,  very  much  in  the 
same  direction,  their  enemy  found  the  sport  becoming  too 
hot  to  be  endured  in  silence,  and  the  report  of  the  second 
gun  from  the  Ariel  was  instantly  followed  by  that  of  the 
whole  broadside  of  the  Alacrity.  The  shot  of  the  cutter 
flew  in  a  very  good  direction,  but  her  guns  were  too  light 
to  give  them  efficiency  at  that  distance  ;  and  as  one  or  two 
were  heard  to  strike  against  the  bends  of  the  schooner,  and 
fall  back,  innocuously,  into  the  water,  the  cockswain,  whose 
good-humor  became  gradually  restored  as  the  combat  thick- 
ened, remarked  with  his  customary  apathy, — 

"Them  count  for  no  more  than  love- taps — does  the 
Englishman  think  that  we  are  firing  salutes  ! ' ' 

"Stir  him  up,  Tom  !  every  blow  you  give  him  will  help 


202 


XTbe  pilot 


to  open  his  eyes,"  cried  Barnstable,  rubbing  his  hands  with 
glee,  as  he  witnessed  the  success  of  his  efforts  to  close. 

Thus  far  the  cockswain  and  his  crew  had  the  fight,  on  the 
part  of  the  Ariel,  altogether  to  themselves,  the  men  who 
were  stationed  at  the  smaller  and  shorter  guns  standing  in 
perfect  idleness  by  their  sides  ;  but  in  ten  or  fifteen  minutes 
the  commander  of  the  Alacrity,  who  had  been  staggered  by 
the  weight  of  the  shot  that  had  struck  him,  found  that  it 
was  no  longer  in  his  power  to  retreat,  if  he  wished  it ;  when 
he  decided  on  the  only  course  that  was  left  for  a  brave  man 
to  pursue,  and  steered  boldly  in  such  a  direction  as  would 
soonest  bring  him  in  contact  with  his  enemy,  without  expos- 
ing his  vessel  to  be  raked  by  his  fire.  Barnstable  watched 
each  movement  of  his  foe  with  eagle  eyes,  and  when  the 
vessel  had  got  within  a  lessened  distance,  he  gave  the  order 
for  a  general  fire  to  be  opened.  The  action  now  grew 
warm  and  spirited  on  both  sides.  The  power  of  the  wind 
was  counteracted  by  the  constant  explosion  of  the  cannon  ; 
and,  instead  of  driving  rapidly  to  leeward,  a  white  canopy 
of  curling  smoke  hung  above  the  Ariel,  or  rested  on  the 
water,  lingering  in  her  wake,  so  as  to  mark  the  path  by 
which  she  was  approaching  to  a  closer  and  still  deadlier 
struggle.  The  shouts  of  the  young  sailors,  as  they  handled 
their  instruments  of  death,  became  more  animated  and  fierce, 
while  the  cockswain  pursued  his  occupation  with  the  silence 
and  skill  of  one  who  labored  in  a  regular  vocation.  Barn- 
stable was  unusually  composed  and  quiet,  maintaining  the 
grave  deportment  of  a  commander  on  whom  rested  the  for- 
tunes of  the  contest,  at  the  same  time  that  his  dark  eyes 
were  dancing  with  the  fire  of  suppressed  animation. 

' '  Give  it  them  !  "  he  occasionally  cried,  in  a  voice  that 
might  be  heard  amid  the  bellowing  of  the  cannon  ;  ' '  never 
mind  their  cordage,  my  lads  ;  drive  home  their  bolts,  and 
make  your  marks  below  their  ridge-ropes. ' ' 

In  the  meantime  the  Englishman  played  a  manful  game. 

He  had  suffered  a  heavy  loss  by  the  distant  cannonade, 
which  no  metal  he  possessed  could  retort  upon  his  enemy  ; 
but  he  struggled  nobly  to  repair  the  error  in  judgment  with 
which  he  had  begun  the  contest    The  two  vessels  gradu- 


xrbe  BMlot 


203 


ally  drew  nigher  to  each  other,  until  they  both  entered  into 
the  common  cloud  created  by  their  fire,  which  thickened 
and  spread  around  them  in  such  a  manner  as  to  conceal 
their  dark  hulls  from  the  gaze  of  the  curious  and  interested 
spectators  on  the  cliffs.  The  heavy  reports  of  the  cannon 
were  now  mingled  with  the  rattling  of  muskets  and  pistols, 
and  streaks  of  fire  might  be  seen  glancing  like  flashes  of 
lightning  through  the  white  cloud  which  enshrouded  the 
combatants  ;  and  many  minutes  of  painful  uncertainty  fol-  / 
lowed,  before  the  deeply-interested  soldiers,  who  were  gaz- 
ing at  the  scene,  discovered  on  whose  banners  victory  had 
alighted. 

We  shall  follow  the  combatants  into  their  misty  wreath, 
and  display  to  the  reader  the  events  as  they  occurred. 

The  fire  of  the  Ariel  was  much  the  most  quick  and 
deadly,  both  because  she  had  suffered  less,  and  her  men 
were  less  exhausted  ;  and  the  cutter  stood  desperately  on 
to  decide  the  combat,  after  grappling,  hand  to  hand.  Barn- 
stable anticipated  her  intention,  and  well  understood  her 
commander's  reason  for  adopting  this  course ;  but  he  was 
not  a  man  to  calculate  coolly  his  advantages,  when  pride  and 
daring  invited  him  to  a  more  severe  trial.  Accordingly,  he 
met  the  enemy  half-way,  and  as  the  vessels  rushed  together, 
the  stern  of  the  schooner  was  secured  to  the  bows  of  the 
cutter,  by  the  joint  efforts  of  both  parties.  The  voice  of 
the  English  commander  was  now  plainly  to  be  heard,  in  the 
uproar,  calling  to  his  men  to  follow  him. 

Away  there,  boarders  !  repel  boarders  on  the  starboard 
quarter  ! ' '  shouted  Barnstable  through  his  trumpet. 

This  was  the  last  order  that  the  gallant  young  sailor  gave 
with  this  instrument ;  for,  as  he  spoke,  he  cast  it  from  him, 
and,  seizing  his  sabre,  flew  to  the  spot  where  the  enemy  was 
about  to  make  his  most  desperate  effort.  The  shouts,  exe- 
crations, and  taun tings  of  the  combatants,  now  succeeded  to 
the  roar  of  the  cannon,  which  could  be  used  no  longer  with 
effect,  though  the  fight  was  still  maintained  with  spirited 
discharges  of  the  small-arms. 

' '  Sweep  him  from  his  decks  !  ' '  cried  the  English  com- 
mander, as  he  appeared  on  his  own  bulwarks,  surrounded 


204 


Ubc  mot 


by  a  dozen  of  his  bravest  men  ;  * '  drive  the  rebellious  dogs 
into  the  sea  !  ' ' 

* '  Away  there,  marines  ! ' '  retorted  Barnstable,  firing  his 
pistol  at  the  advancing  enemy  ;  ' '  leave  not  a  man  of  them 
to  sup  his  grog  again." 

The  tremendous  and  close  volley  that  succeeded  this  order, 
nearly  accomplished  the  command  of  Barnstable  to  the  letter, 
and  the  commander  of  the  Alacrity,  perceiving  that  he  stood 
alone,  reluctantly  fell  back  on  the  deck  of  his  own  vessel, 
in  order  to  bring  on  his  men  once  more. 

Board  her  !  gray-beards  and  boys,  idlers  and  all  !  " 
shouted  Barnstable,  springing  in  advance  of  his  crew  ;  a 
powerful  arm  arrested  the  movement  of  the  dauntless  sea- 
man, and  before  he  had  time  to  recover  himself,  he  was 
drawn  violently  back  to  his  own  vessel  by  the  irresistible 
grasp  of  his  cockswain. 

■  * '  The  fellow  's  in  his  flurry, ' '  said  Tom,  ' '  and  it  would  n't 
be  wise  to  go  within  reach  of  his  flukes  ;  but  I  '11  just  step 
ahead  and  give  him  a  set  with  my  harpoon." 

Without  waiting  for  a  reply,  the  cockswain  reared  his  tall 
frame  on  the  bulwarks,  and  was  in  the  attitude  of  stepping 
on  board  of  his  enemy,  when  a  sea  separated  the  vessels,  and 
he  fell  with  a  heavy  dash  of  the  waters  into  the  ocean.  As 
twenty  muskets  and  pistols  were  discharged  at  the  instant 
he  appeared,  the  crew  of  the  Ariel  supposed  his  fall  to  be 
occasioned  by  his  wounds,  and  were  rendered  doubly  fierce 
by  the  sight,  and  the  cry  of  their  commander  to — 

*  *  Revenge  long  Tom  !  board  her  !  long  Tom  or  death  ! ' ' 

They  threw  themselves  forward  in  irresistible  numbers, 
and  forced  a  passage,  with  much  bloodshed,  to  the  forecastle 
of  the  Alacrity.  The  Englishman  was  overpowered,  but 
still  remained  undaunted — he  rallied  his  crew,  and  bore  up 
most  gallantly  to  the  fray.  Thrusts  of  pikes  and  blows  of 
sabres  were  becoming  close  and  deadly,  while  muskets  and 
pistols  were  constantly  discharged  by  those  who  were  kept 
at  a  distance  by  the  pressure  of  the  throng  of  closer  com- 
batants. 

Barnstable  led  his  men  in  advance,  and  became  a  mark 
of  peculiar  vengeance  to  his  enemies,  as  they  slowly  yielded 


xrbe  pilot 


205 


before  his  vigorous  assaults.  Chance  had  placed  the  two 
commanders  on  opposite  sides  of  the  cutter's  deck,  and  the 
victory  seemed  to  incline  towards  either  party,  wherever 
these  daring  officers  directed  the  struggle  in  person.  But 
the  Englishman,  perceiving  that  the  ground  he  maintained 
in  person  was  lost  elsewhere,  made  an  effort  to  restore  the 
battle,  by  changing  his  position,  followed  by  one  or  two  of 
his  best  men.  A  marine,  who  preceded  him,  levelled  his 
musket  within  a  few  feet  of  the  head  of  the  American  com- 
mander, and  was  about  to  fire,  when  Merry  glided  among 
the  combatants,  and  passed  his  dirk  into  the  body  of  the 
man,  who  fell  at  the  blow  ;  shaking  his  piece,  with  horrid 
imprecations,  the  wounded  soldier  prepared  to  deal  his 
vengeance  on  his  youthful  assailant,  when  the  fearless  boy 
leaped  within  its  muzzle,  and  buried  his  own  keen  weapon 
in  his  heart. 

"Hurrah!"  shouted  the  unconscious  Barnstable,  from 
the  edge  of  the  quarter-deck,  where,  attended  by  a  few  men, 
he  was  driving  all  before  him.  ' '  Revenge  ! — long  Tom  and 
victory  ! ' ' 

* '  We  have  them  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  Englishman  ;  * '  handle 
your  pikes  !  we  have  them  between  two  fires." 

The  battle  would  probably  have  terminated  very  differ- 
ently from  what  previous  circumstances  had  indicated,  had 
not  a  wild-looking  figure  appeared  in  the  cutter's  channels 
at  that  moment,  issuing  from  the  sea,  and  gaining  the  deck 
at  the  same  instant.  It  was  long  Tom,  with  his  iron  visage 
rendered  fierce  by  his  previous  discomfiture,  and  his  grizzled 
locks  drenched  with  the  briny  element  from  which  he  had 
risen,  looking  like  Neptune  with  his  trident.  Without  speak- 
ing, he  poised  his  harpoon,  and,  with  a  powerful  effort, 
pinned  the  unfortunate  Englishman  to  the  mast  of  his  own 
vessel. 

**Starn  all  ! "  cried  Tom  by  a  sort  of  instinct,  when  the 
blow  was  struck  ;  and  catching  up  the  musket  of  the  fallen 
marine,  he  dealt  out  terrible  and  fatal  blows  with  its  butt,  on 
all  who  approached  him,  utterly  disregarding  the  use  of  the 
bayonet  on  its  muzzle.  The  unfortunate  commander  of  the 
Alacrity  brandished  his  sword  with  frantic  gestures,  while 


2o6 


XTbe  pilot 


his  eyes  rolled  in  horrid  wildness,  when  he  writhed  for  an 
instant  in  his  passing  agonies,  and  then,  as  his  head  dropped 
lifeless  upon  his  gored  breast,  he  hung  against  the  spar,  a 
spectacle  of  dismay  to  his  crew.  A  few  of  the  Englishmen 
stood  chained  to  the  spot  in  silent  horror  at  the  sight,  but 
most  of  them  fled  to  their  lower  deck,  or  hastened  to  con- 
ceal themselves  in  the  secret  parts  of  the  vessel,  leaving  to 
the  Americans  the  undisputed  possession  of  the  Alacrity. 

Two  thirds  of  the  cutter's  crew  suffered  either  in  life  or 
limbs,  by  this  short  struggle  ;  nor  was  the  victory  obtained 
by  Barnstable  without  paying  the  price  of  several  valuable 
lives.  The  first  burst  of  conquest  was  not,  however,  the 
moment  to  appreciate  the  sacrifice,  and  loud  and  reiterated 
shouts  proclaimed  the  exultation  of  the  conquerors.  As  the 
flush  of  victory  subsided,  however,  recollection  returned,  and 
Barnstable  issued  such  orders  as  humanity  and  his  duty 
rendered  necessary.  While  the  vessels  were  separating,  and 
the  bodies  of  the  dead  and  wounded  were  removing,  the  con- 
queror paced  the  deck  of  his  prize,  as  if  lost  in  deep  reflec- 
tion. He  passed  his  hand  frequently  across  his  blackened 
and  blood-stained  brow,  while  his  eyes  would  rise  to  examine 
the  vast  canopy  of  smoke  that  was  hovering  above  the  ves- 
sels, like  a  dense  fog  exhaling  from  the  ocean.  The  result 
of  his  deliberations  was  soon  announced  to  the  crew. 

' '  Haul  down  all  your  flags, ' '  he  cried  ;  "set  the  English- 
man's colors  again,  and  show  the  enemy's  jack  above  our 
ensign  in  the  Ariel." 

The  appearance  of  the  whole  channel  fleet  within  half 
gun-shot,  would  not  have  occasioned  more  astonishment 
among  the  victors  than  this  extraordinary  mandate.  The 
wondering  seamen  suspended  their  several  employments,  to 
gaze  at  the  singular  change  that  was  making  in  the  flags, 
those  symbols  that  were  viewed  with  a  sort  of  reverence  ; 
but  none  presumed  to  comment  openly  on  the  procedure  ex- 
cept long  Tom,  who  stood  on  the  quarter-deck  of  the  prize, 
straightening  the  pliable  iron  of  the  harpoon  w^hich  he  had 
recovered,  with  as  much  care  and  diligence  as  if  it  were 
necessary  to  the  maintenance  of  their  conquest.  Like  the 
others,  however,  he  suspended  his  employment,  when  he 


XLbc  IPtlot 


207 


heard  this  order,  and  manifested  no  reluctance  to  express  his 
dissatisfaction  at  the  measure. 

"  If  the  Englishmen  grumble  at  the  fight,  and  think  it  not 
fair  play,"  muttered  the  old  cockswain,  let  us  try  it  over 
again,  sir  ;  as  they  are  somewhat  short  of  hands,  they  can 
send  a  boat  to  the  land,  and  get  off  a  gang  of  them  lazy  rip- 
tyles,  the  soldiers,  who  stand  looking  at  us,  like  so  many  red 
lizards  crawling  on  a  beach,  and  we  '11  give  them  another 
chance ;  but  damme,  if  I  see  the  use  of  whipping  them,  if 
this  is  to  be  the  better  end  of  the  matter. ' ' 

"What 's  that  you  're  grumbling  there,  like  a  dead  north- 
easter, you  horse  mackerel  ?  ' '  said  Barnstable  ;  * '  where  are 
our  friends  and  countrymen  who  are  on  the  land  ?  are  we  to 
leave  them  to  swing  on  gibbets  or  rot  in  dungeons  ?  ' ' 

The  cockswain  listened  with  great  earnestness,  and  when 
his  commander  had  spoken,  he  struck  the  palm  of  his  broad 
hand  against  his  brawny  thigh,  with  a  report  like  a  pistol, 
and  answered, — 

*  *  I  see  how  it  is,  sir  ;  you  reckon  the  red-coats  have  Mr. 
Griffith  in  tow.  Just  run  the  schooner  into  shoal  water, 
Captain  Barnstable,  and  drop  an  anchor,  where  we  can  get 
the  long  gun  to  bear  on  them,  and  give  me  the  whale-boat 
and  five  or  six  men  to  back  me — they  must  have  long  legs 
if  they  get  an  offing  before  I  run  them  aboard  !  ' ' 

'*  Fool  !  do  you  think  a  boat's  crew  could  contend  with 
fifty  armed  soldiers  ?  " 

*'  Soldiers  !  "  echoed  Tom,  whose  spirits  had  been  strongly 
excited  by  the  conflict,  snapping  his  fingers  with  ineffable 
disdain  ;  ' '  that  for  all  the  soldiers  that  were  ever  rigged  : 
one  whale  could  kill  a  thousand  of  them  !  and  here  stands 
the  man  that  has  killed  his  round  hundred  of  whales  ! ' ' 

"  Pshaw,  you  grampus,  do  you  turn  braggart  in  your  old 
age?" 

"  It 's  no  bragging,  sir,  to  speak  a  log-book  truth  !  but  if 
Captain  Barnstable  thinks  that  old  Tom  Coffin  carries  a 
speaking-trumpet  for  a  figure-head,  let  him  pass  the  word 
forrard  to  man  the  boats." 

No,  no,  my  old  master  at  the  marlinspike,"  said  Barn- 
stable, kindly,  * '  I  know  thee  too  well,  thou  brother  of  Nep- 


2o8 


XTbe  pilot 


tune  !  but  shall  we  not  throw  the  bread-room  dust  in  those 
Englishmen's  eyes,  by  wearing  their  bunting  awhile,  till 
something  may  offer  to  help  our  captured  countrymen  ?  ' ' 

The  cockswain  shook  his  head  and  cogitated  a  moment, 
as  if  struck  with  sundry  new  ideas,  when  he  answered, — 

"Ay,  ay,  sir;  that's  blue- water  philosophy:  as  deep  as 
the  sea  !  Let  the  riptyles  clew  up  the  corners  of  their 
mouths  to  their  eyebrows,  now  !  when  they  come  to  hear 
the  raal  Yankee  truth  of  the  matter,  they  will  sheet  them 
down  to  their  leather  neckcloths  !  ' ' 

With  this  reflection  the  cockswain  was  much  consoled, 
and  the  business  of  repairing  damages  and  securing  the 
prize  proceeded  without  further  interruption  on  his  part. 
The  few  prisoners  who  were  unhurt,  were  rapidly  transferred 
to  the  Ariel.  While  Barnstable  was  attending  to  this  duty, 
and  unusual  bustle  drew  his  eyes  to  one  of  the  hatchways, 
where  he  beheld  a  couple  of  his  marines  dragging  forward  a 
gentleman,  whose  demeanor  and  appearance  indicated  the 
most  abject  terror.  After  examining  the  extraordinary 
appearance  of  this  individual,  for  a  moment,  in  silent  amaze- 
ment, the  lieutenant  exclaimed, — 

' '  Who  have  we  here  ?  some  amateur  in  fights  !  an  inquisi- 
tive, wonder-seeking  non-combatant,  who  has  volunteered 
to  serve  his  king,  and  perhaps  draw  a  picture,  or  write  a 
book,  to  serve  himself !  Pray,  sir,  in  what  capacity  did  you 
serve  in  this  vessel  ? ' ' 

The  captive  ventured  a  sidelong  glance  at  his  interrogator, 
in  whom  he  expected  to  encounter  Grifiith,  but  perceiving 
that  it  was  a  face  he  did  not  know,  he  felt  a  revival  of  confi- 
dence that  enabled  him  to  reply, — 

'  *  I  came  here  by  accident ;  being  on  board  the  cutter  at 
the  time  her  late  commander  determined  to  engage  you.  It 
was  not  in  his  power  to  land  me,  as  I  trust  you  will  not  hesi- 
tate to  do  ;  your  conjecture  of  my  being  a  non-combatant — " 

'*Is  perfectly  true,"  interrupted  Barnstable;  "it  requires 
no  spy-glass  to  read  that  name  written  on  you  from  stem  to 
stern  ;  but  for  certain  weighty  reasons — ' ' 

Ke  paused  to  turn  at  a  signal  given  him  by  young  Merry 
who  whispered  eagerly  in  his  ear, — 


Ube  pilot 


209 


**'Tis  Mr.  Dillon,  kinsman  of  Colonel  Howard;  I've 
seen  him  often,  sailing  in  the  wake  of  my  cousin  Cicely." 

' '  Dillon  ! ' '  exclaimed  Barnstable,  rubbing  his  hands  with 
pleasure  ;  ' '  what,  Kit  of  that  name  !  he  with  *  the  Savannah 
face,  eyes  of  black,  and  skin  of  the  same  color?  '  he  's  grown 
a  little  whiter  with  fear  ;  but  he 's  a  prize,  at  this  moment, 
worth  twenty  Alacrities  ! ' ' 

These  exclamations  were  made  in  a  low  voice,  and  at 
some  little  distance  from  the  prisoner,  whom  he  now  ap- 
proached and  addressed. 

' '  Policy,  and  consequently  duty,  require  that  I  should 
detain  you  for  a  short  time,  sir  ;  but  you  shall  have  a  sailor's 
welcome  to  whatever  we  possess,  to  lessen  the  weight  of 
captivity." 

Barnstable  precluded  any  reply,  by  bowing  to  his  captive, 
and  turning  away  to  superintend  the  management  of  his 
vessels.  In  a  short  time  it  was  announced  that  they  were 
ready  to  make  sail,  when  the  Ariel  and  her  prize  were 
brought  close  to  the  wind,  and  commenced  beating  slowly 
along  the  land,  as  if  intending  to  return  to  the  bay  whence 
the  latter  had  sailed  that  morning.  As  they  stretched  in  to 
the  shore  on  the  first  tack,  the  soldiers  on  the  clifis  rent  the 
air  with  their  shouts  and  acclamations,  to  which  Barnstable, 
pointing  to  the  assumed  symbols  that  were  fluttering  in  the 
breeze  from  his  masts,  directed  his  crew  to  respond  in  the 
most  cordial  manner.  As  the  distance,  and  the  want  of 
boats,  prevented  any  further  communication,  the  soldiers, 
after  gazing  at  the  receding  vessels  for  a  time,  disappeared 
from  the  cliffs,  and  were  soon  lost  from  the  sight  of  the 
adventurous  mariners.  Hour  after  hour  was  consumed  in 
the  tedious  navigation,  against  an  adverse  tide,  and  the  short 
day  was  drawing  to  a  close,  before  they  approached  the 
mouth  of  their  destined  haven.  While  making  one  of  their 
numerous  stretches,  to  and  from  the  land,  the  cutter,  in 
which  Barnstable  continued,  passed  the  victim  of  their  morn- 
ing's sport,  riding  on  the  water,  the  waves  curling  over  his 
huge  carcass  as  on  some  rounded  rock,  and  already  sur- 
rounded by  the  sharks,  who  were  preying  on  his  defenceless 
body. 


2IO 


XTbe  pilot 


"See!  Master  Coffin,"  cried  the  lieutenant,  pointing  out 
the  object  to  his  cockswain  as  they  glided  by  it,  '*  the  shovel- 
nosed  gentlemen  are  regaling  daintily  ;  you  have  neglected 
the  Christian's  duty  of  burying  your  dead." 

The  old  seaman  cast  a  melancholy  look  at  the  dead  whale, 
and  replied, — 

"  If  I  had  the  creatur'  in  Boston  Bay,  or  on  the  Sandy 
Point  of  Munny-Moy,  'twould  be  the  making  of  me  !  But 
riches  and  honor  are  for  the  great  and  the  larned,  and  there  's 
nothing  left  for  poor  Tom  Coffin  to  do,  but  to  veer  and  haul 
on  his  own  rolling- tackle,  that  he  may  ride  out  the  rest  of 
the  gale  of  life  without  springing  any  of  his  old  spars." 

' '  How  now,  long  Tom  ! ' '  cried  his  officer,  '  *  these  rocks 
and  cliffs  will  shipwreck  you  on  the  shoals  of  poetry  yet  ; 
you  grow  sentimental  !  ' ' 

' '  Them  rocks  might  wrack  any  vessel  that  struck  them, ' ' 
said  the  literal  cockswain  ;  ' '  and  as  for  poetry,  I  wants  none 
better  than  the  good  old  song  of  Captain  Kidd ;  but  it's 
enough  to  raise  solemn  thoughts  in  a  Cape  Poge  Indian,  to 
see  an  eighty-barrel  whale  devoured  by  shirks — 'tis  an 
awful  waste  of  property  !  I  've  seen  the  death  of  two  hun- 
dred of  the  creatur' s,  though  it  seems  to  keep  the  rations  of 
poor  old  Tom  as  short  as  ever.  ' ' 

The  cockswain  walked  aft,  while  the  vessel  was  passing 
the  whale,  and  seating  himself  on  the  taffirail,  with  his  face 
resting  gloomily  on  his  bony  hand,  he  fastened  his  eyes  on 
the  object  of  his  solicitude,  and  continued  to  gaze  at  it  with 
melancholy  regret,  while  it  was  to  be  seen  glistening  in  the 
sunbeams,  as  it  rolled  its  glittering  side  of  white  into  the 
air,  or  the  rays  fell  unreflected  on  the  black  and  rougher  coat 
of  the  back  of  the  monster.  In  the  meantime,  the  navigators 
diligently  pursued  their  way  for  the  haven  we  have  men- 
tioned, into  which  they  steered  with  every  appearance  of  the 
fearlessness  of  friends,  and  the  exultation  of  conquerors. 

A  few  eager  and  gratified  spectators  lined  the  edges  of 
the  small  bay,  and  Barnstable  concluded  his  arrangement 
for  deceiving  the  enemy,  by  admonishing  his  crew  that  they 
were  now  about  to  enter  on  a  service  that  would  require 
their  utmost  intrepidity  and  sagacity. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


"  Our  trumpet  called  you  to  this  gentle  parle." 

King John, 

AS  Griffith  and  his  companions  rushed  from  the 
offices  of  St.  Ruth  into  the  open  air,  they  encoun- 
tered no  one  to  intercept  their  flight,  or  communi- 
cate the  alarm.  Warned  by  the  experience  of  the 
earlier  part  of  the  same  night,  they  avoided  the  points  where 
they  knew  the  sentinels  were  posted,  though  fully  prepared 
to  bear  down  all  resistance,  and  were  soon  beyond  the  proba- 
bility of  immediate  detection.  They  proceeded,  for  the  dis- 
tance of  half  a  mile,  with  rapid  strides,  and  with  the  stern 
and  sullen  silence  of  men  who  expected  to  encounter  imme- 
diate danger,  resolved  to  breast  it  with  desperate  resolution  ; 
but,  as  they  plunged  into  a  copse  that  clustered  around  the 
ruin  which  has  been  already  mentioned,  they  lessened  their 
exertions  to  a  more  deliberate  pace,  and  a  short  but  guarded 
dialogue  ensued. 

We  have  had  a  timely  escape,"  said  Griffith  ;  I  would 
much  rather  have  endured  captivity,  than  have  been  the 
cause  of  introducing  confusion  and  bloodshed  into  the  peace- 
ful residence  of  Colonel  Howard." 

*'  I  would,  sir,  that  you  had  been  of  this  opinion  some 
hours  earlier,"  returned  the  Pilot,  with  a  severity  in  his 
tones  that  even  conveyed  more  meaning  than  his  words. 

'  *  I  may  have  forgotten  my  duty,  sir,  in  my  anxiety  to 
inquire  into  the  condition  of  a  family  in  whom  I  feel  a  par- 
ticular interest,"  returned  Griffith,  in  a  manner  in  which 
pride  evidently  struggled  with  respect ;  ' '  but  this  not  a  time 
for  regrets  ;  I  apprehend  that  we  follow  you  on  an  errand  of 

2X1 


212 


Ubc  pilot 


some  moment,  where  actions  would  be  more  acceptable  than 
any  words  of  apology.    What  is  your  pleasure  now  ?  ' ' 

I  much  fear  that  our  project  will  be  defeated,"  said  the 
Pilot,  gloomily;  "the  alarm  will  spread  with  the  morning 
fogs,  and  there  will  be  musterings  of  the  yeomen,  and  con- 
sultations of  the  gentry,  that  will  drive  all  thoughts  of  amuse- 
ment from  their  minds.  The  rumor  of  a  descent  will,  at 
any  time,  force  sleep  from  the  shores  of  this  island,  to  at 
least  ten  leagues  inland." 

'*Ay,  you  have  probably  passed  some  pleasant  nights, 
with  your  eyes  open,  among  them,  yourself.  Master  Pilot," 
said  Manual ;  "  they  may  thank  the  Frenchman,  Thurot,  in 
the  old  business  of  '56,  and  our  own  dare-devil,  the  bloody 
Scotchman,  as  the  causes  of  their  quarters  being  so  often 
beaten  up.  After  all,  Thurot,  with  his  fleet,  did  no  more 
than  bully  them  a  little,  and  the  poor  fellow  was  finally  ex- 
tinguished by  a  few  small  cruisers,  like  a  drummer's  boy 
under  a  grenadier's  cap ;  but  honest  Paul  sang  a  different 
tune  for  his  countrymen  to  dance  to,  and — ' ' 

I  believe  you  will  shortly  dance  yourself,  Manual,"  in- 
terrupted Griffith,  quickly,  "and  in  very  pleasure  that  you 
have  escaped  an  English  prison. ' ' 

"Say,  rather,  an  English  gibbet,"  continued  the  elated 
marine  ;  "  for  had  a  court-martial  or  a  court-civil  discussed 
the  manner  of  our  entrance  into  this  island,  I  doubt  whether 
we  should  have  fared  better  than  the  dare-devil  himself, 
honest — ' ' 

'  *  Pshaw  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  impatient  Griffith  ;  ' '  enough 
of  this  nonsense,  Captain  Manual  :  we  have  other  matters  to 
discuss  now.  What  course  have  you  determined  to  pursue, 
Mr.  Gray?" 

The  Pilot  started,  like  a  man  aroused  from  a  deep  musing, 
at  this  question,  and  after  a  pause  of  a  moment,  he  spoke  in 
a  low  tone  of  voice,  as  if  still  under  the  influence  of  deep  and 
melancholy  feeling  : — 

"  The  night  has  already  run  into  the  morning  watch,  but 
the  sun  is  backward  to  show  himself  in  this  latitude  in  the 
heart  of  winter.  I  must  depart,  my  friends,  to  rejoin  you 
some  ten  hours  hence :  it  will  be  necessary  to  look  deeper 


Ube  pilot 


into  our  scheme  before  we  hazard  anything,  and  no  one  can 
do  the  service  but  myself :  where  shall  we  meet  again  ?  " 

'  *  I  have  reason  to  think  that  there  is  an  unfrequented  ruin 
at  no  great  distance  from  us,"  said  Griffith  ;  "  perhaps  we 
might  find  both  shelter  and  privacy  among  its  deserted 
walls." 

"  The  thought  is  good,"  returned  the  Pilot,  "and 'twill 
answer  a  double  purpose.  Could  you  find  the  place  where 
you  put  the  marines  in  ambush.  Captain  Manual  ? ' ' 

'  *  Has  a  dog  a  nose  ?  and  can  he  follow  a  clean  scent  ?  ' ' 
exclaimed  the  marine  ;  do  you  think,  Sign  or  Pilota,  that  a 
general  ever  puts  his  forces  in  an  ambuscade  where  he  can't 
find  them  himself  ?  '  Fore  God  !  I  knew  well  enough  where 
the  rascals  lay  snoring  on  their  knapsacks,  some  half  an 
hour  ago,  and  I  would  have  given  the  oldest  majority  in 
Washington's  army  to  have  had  them  where  a  small  inti- 
mation from  myself  could  have  brought  them  in  line  ready 
dressed  for  a  charge.  I  know  not  how  you  fared,  gentlemen, 
but,  with  me,  the  sight  of  twenty  such  vagabonds  would 
have  been  a  joyous  spectacle  :  we  would  have  tossed  that 
Captain  Borroughclifie  and  his  recruits  on  the  point  of  our 
bayonets,  as  the  devil  would  pitch — " 

"Come,  come.  Manual,"  said  Griffith,  a  little  angrily, 
'  *  you  constantly  forget  our  situation  and  our  errand ;  can 
you  lead  your  men  hither  without  discovery,  before  the  day 
dawns  ? ' ' 

' '  I  want  but  the  shortest  half-hour  that  a  bad  watch  efver 
travelled  over  to  do  it  in." 

*  *  Then  follow,  and  I  will  appoint  a  place  of  secret  rendez- 
vous," rejoined  Griffith  ;  "  Mr.  Gray  can  learn  our  situation 
at  the  same  time. ' ' 

The  Pilot  was  seen  to  beckon,  through  the  gloom  of  the 
night,  for  his  companions  to  move  forward  ;  when  they  pro- 
ceeded, with  cautious  steps,  in  quest  of  the  desired  shelter. 
A  short  search  brought  them  in  contact  with  a  part  of  the 
ruinous  walls,  which  spread  over  a  large  surface,  and  which, 
in  places,  reared  their  black  fragments  against  the  sky, 
casting  a  deeper  obscurity  across  the  secret  recesses  of  the 
wood. 


214 


Ubc  pilot 


''This  will  do,"  said  Griffith,  when  they  had  skirted  for 
some  distance  the  outline  of  the  crumbling  fabric ;  ' '  bring 
up  your  men  to  this  point,  where  I  will  meet  you,  and  con- 
duct them  to  some  more  secret  place,  for  which  I  shall 
search  during  yotu  absence." 

A  perfect  paradise,  after  the  cable-tiers  of  the  Ariel  ! " 
exclaimed  Manual  ;  "  I  doubt  not  but  a  good  spot  might  be 
selected  among  these  trees  for  a  steady  drill, — a  thing  my 
soul  has  pined  after  for  six  long  months." 

*'Away,  away!"  cried  Griffith;  ''here  is  no  place  for 
idle  parades ;  if  we  find  shelter  from  discovery  and  capture 
until  you  shall  be  needed  in  a  deadly  struggle,  't  will  be  well." 

Manual  was  slowly  retracing  his  steps  to  the  skirts  of 
the  wood,  when  he  suddenly  turned,  and  asked, — 

"Shall  I  post  a  small  picket,  a  mere  corporal's  guard,  in 
the  open  ground  in  front,  and  make  a  chain  of  sentinels  to 
our  works  ?  ' ' 

"We  have  no  works — we  want  no  sentinels,"  returned 
his  impatient  commander  ;  ' '  our  security  is  only  to  be  found 
in  secrecy.  Lead  up  your  men  under  the  cover  of  the 
trees,  and  let  those  three  bright  stars  be  your  landmarks ; 
bring  them  in  a  range  with  the  northern  corner  of  the 
wood — ' ' 

"  Enough,  Mr.  Griffith,"  interrupted  Manual ;  "  a  column 
of  troops  is  not  to  be  steered  like  a  ship,  by  compass,  and 
bearings  and  distances  ;  trust  me,  sir,  the  march  shall  be 
conducted  with  proper  discretion,  though  in  a  military 
manner. ' ' 

Any  reply  or  expostulation  was  prevented  by  the  sudden 
disappearance  of  the  marine,  whose  retreating  footsteps 
were  heard  for  several  moments,  as  he  moved  at  a  deliber- 
ate pace  through  the  underwood.  During  this  short  in- 
terval, the  Pilot  stood  reclining  against  the  comer  of  the 
ruins  in  profound  silence  ;  but  when  the  sounds  of  Manual's 
march  were  no  longer  audible,  he  advanced  from  under  the 
deeper  shadows  of  the  wall,  and  approached  his  youthful 
companion. 

"  We  are  indebted  to  the  marine  for  our  escape,"  he  said  ; 
**  I  hope  we  are  not  to  suffer  by  his  folly.** 


Ube  pilot 


215 


He  IS  what  Barnstable  calls  a  rectangular  man,"  returned 
Griffith,  and  will  have  his  way  in  matters  of  his  profession, 
though  a  daring  companion  in  a  hazardous  expedition.  If 
we  can  keep  him  from  exposing  us  by  his  silly  parade,  we 
shall  find  him  a  man  who  will  do  his  work  like  a  soldier, 
sir,  when  need  happens. ' ' 

'T  is  all  I  ask  ;  until  the  last  moment,  he  and  his  com- 
mand must  be  torpid  ;  for  if  we  are  discovered,  any  attempt 
of  ours,  with  some  twenty  bayonets  and  a  half-pike  or  two, 
would  be  useless  against  the  force  that  would  be  brought  to 
crush  us. ' ' 

"The  truth  of  your  opinion  is  too  obvious,"  returned 
Griffith  ;  * '  these  fellows  will  sleep  a  week  at  a  time  in  a 
gale  at  sea,  but  the  smell  of  the  land  wakes  them  up,  and  I 
fear  't  will  be  hard  to  keep  them  close  during  the  day." 

It  must  be  done,  sir,  by  the  strong  hand  of  force,"  said 
the  Pilot,  sternly,  "if  it  cannot  be  done  by  admonition  ;  if 
we  had  no  more  than  the  recruits  of  that  drunken  martinet 
to  cope  with,  it  wotdd  be  no  hard  task  to  drive  them  into  the 
sea  ;  but  I  learned  in  my  prison  that  horse  are  expected  on 
the  shore  with  the  dawn  ;  there  is  one  they  call  Dillon,  who 
is  on  the  alert  to  do  us  mischief. ' ' 

"The  miscreant!"  muttered  Griffith;  "then  you  also 
have  had  communion,  sir,  with  some  of  the  inmates  of  St. 
Ruth?" 

"  It  behooves  a  man  who  is  embarked  in  a  perilous  enter- 
prise to  seize  all  opportunities  to  learn  his  hazard,"  said  the 
Pilot,  evasively  :  "if  the  report  be  true,  I  fear  we  have  but 
little  hopes  of  succeeding  in  our  plans." 

"  Nay,  then,  let  us  take  the  advantage  of  the  darkness  to 
regain  the  schooner  ;  the  coasts  of  England  swarm  with 
hostile  cruisers,  and  a  rich  trade  is  flowing  into  the  bosom 
of  this  island  from  the  four  quarters  of  the  world  ;  we  shall 
not  seek  long  for  a  foe  worthy  to  contend  with,  nor  for  the 
opportunities  to  cut  up  the  Englishman  in  his  sinews  of 
war — his  wealth." 

"  Griffith,"  returned  the  Pilot,  in  his  still,  low  tones,  that 
seemed  to  belong  to  a  man  who  never  knew  ambition,  nor 
felt  human  passion,  ' '  I  grow  sick  of  this  struggle  between 


2l6 


Ube  pilot 


merit  and  privileged  rank.  It  is  in  vain  that  I  scour  the 
waters  which  the  King  of  England  boastingly  calls  his  own, 
and  capture  his  vessels  in  the  very  mouths  of  his  harbors, 
if  my  reward  is  to  consist  only  of  violated  promises,  and 
hollow  professions  ;  but  your  proposition  is  useless  to  me  ; 
I  have  at  length  obtained  a  ship  of  a  size  sufficient  to 
convey  my  person  to  the  shores  of  honest,  plain-dealing 
America ;  and  I  would  enter  the  hall  of  Congress,  on  my 
return,  attended  by  a  few  of  the  legislators  of  this  learned 
isle,  who  think  they  possess  the  exclusive  privilege  to  be 
wise,  and  virtuous,  and  great." 

'  *  Such  a  retinue  might  doubtless  be  grateful  both  to  your 
own  feelings  and  those  who  would  receive  you, ' '  said  Griffith, 
modestly  ;  ' '  but  would  it  affect  the  great  purposes  of  our 
struggle?  or  is  it  an  exploit,  when  achieved,  worth  the 
hazard  you  incur  ?  ' ' 

Griffith  felt  the  hand  of  the  Pilot  on  his  own,  pressing  it 
with  a  convulsive  grasp,  as  he  replied,  in  a  voice,  if  possi- 
ble, even  more  desperately  calm  than  his  former  tones, — 

* '  There  is  glory  in  it,  young  man  ;  if  it  be  purchased 
with  danger,  it  shall  be  rewarded  by  fame  !  It  is  true,  I 
wear  your  republican  livery,  and  call  the  Americans  my 
brothers  ;  but  it  is  because  you  combat  in  behalf  of  human 
nature.  Were  your  cause  less  holy,  I  would  not  shed  the 
meanest  drop  that  flows  in  English  veins  to  serve  it ;  but 
now,  it  hallows  every  exploit  that  is  undertaken  in  its 
favor,  and  the  names  of  all  who  contend  for  it  shall  belong 
to  posterity.  Is  there  no  merit  in  teaching  these  proud 
islanders  that  the  arm  of  liberty  can  pluck  them  from  the 
very  empire  of  their  corruption  and  oppression  ? ' ' 

'  *  Then  let  me  go  and  ascertain  what  we  most  wish  to 
know  ;  you  have  been  seen  there,  and  might  attract — ' ' 

You  little  know  me,"  interrupted  the  Pilot  ;  "  the  deed 
is  my  own.  If  I  succeed,  I  shall  claim  the  honor,  and  it  is 
proper  that  I  incur  the  hazard  ;  if  I  fail,  it  will  be  buried  in 
oblivion,  like  fifty  others  of  my  schemes,  which,  had  I 
power  to  back  me,  would  have  thrown  this  kingdom  in  con- 
sternation, from  the  lookouts  on  the  boldest  of  its  head- 
lands, to  those  on  the  turrets  of  Windsor  Castle.     But  I 


XTbe  pilot 


217 


was  bom  without  the  nobility  of  twenty  generations  to  cor- 
rupt my  blood  and  deaden  my  soul,  and  am  not  trusted  by 
the  degenerate  wretches  who  rule  the  French  marine. ' ' 

'T  is  said  that  ships  of  two  decks  are  building  from  oul 
own  oak,"  said  Griffith;  "and  you  have  only  to  present 
yourself  in  America,  to  be  employed  most  honorably. ' ' 

' '  Ay  !  the  republics  cannot  doubt  the  man  who  has  sup- 
ported their  flag,  without  lowering  it  an  inch,  in  so  many 
bloody  conflicts  !  I  do  go  there,  Griffith,  but  my  way  lies 
on  this  path  ;  my  pretended  friends  have  bound  my  hands 
often,  but  my  enemies,  never — neither  shall  they  now.  Ten 
hours  will  determine  all  I  wish  to  know,  and  with  you,  I 
trust  the  safety  of  the  party  till  my  return  ;  be  vigilant,  but 
be  prudent. ' ' 

"If  you  should  not  appear  at  the  appointed  hour,"  ex- 
claimed Griffith,  as  he  beheld  the  Pilot  turning  to  depart, 
"where  am  I  to  seek,  and  how  serve  you  ?  " 

"Seek  me  not,  but  return  to  your  vessel;  my  earliest 
years  were  passed  on  this  coast,  and  I  can  leave  the  island, 
should  it  be  necessary,  as  I  entered  it,  aided  by  this  disguise 
and  my  own  knowledge ;  in  such  an  event,  look  to  your 
charge,  and  forget  me  entirely." 

Griffith  could  distinguish  the  silent  wave  of  his  hand  when 
the  Pilot  concluded,  and  the  next  instant  he  was  left  alone. 
For  several  minutes  the  young  man  continued  where  he  had 
been  standing,  musing  on  the  singular  endowments  and  rest- 
less enterprise  of  the  being  with  whom  chance  had  thus 
unexpectedly  brought  him  in  contact,  and  with  whose  fate 
and  fortune  his  own  prospects  had,  by  the  intervention  of 
unlooked-for  circumstances,  become  intimately  connected. 
When  the  reflections  excited  by  recent  occurrences  had 
passed  away,  he  entered  within  the  sweeping  circle  of  the 
ruinous  walls,  and  after  a  very  cursory  survey  of  the  state 
of  the  dilapidated  building,  he  was  satisfied  that  it  contained 
enough  secret  places  to  conceal  his  men,  until  the  return  of 
the  Pilot  should  warn  them  that  the  hour  had  come  when 
they  must  attempt  the  seizure  of  the  devoted  sportsmen,  or 
darkness  should  again  facilitate  their  return  to  the  Ariel. 
It  was  now  about  the  commencement  of  that  period  of  deep 


2i8 


Ube  pilot 


night,  which  seamen  distinguish  as  the  morning  watch,  and 
Griffith  ventured  to  the  edge  of  the  little  wood,  to  listen 
if  any  sounds  or  tumult  indicated  that  they  were  pursued. 
On  reaching  a  point  where  his  eye  could  faintly  distinguish 
distant  objects,  the  young  man  paused,  and  bestowed  a  close 
and  wary  investigation  on  the  surrounding  scene. 

The  fury  of  the  gale  had  sensibly  abated,  but  a  steady 
current  of  sea  air  was  rushing  through  the  naked  branches 
of  the  oaks,  lending  a  dreary  and  mournful  sound  to  the 
gloom  of  the  dim  prospect.  At  the  distance  of  a  short  half- 
mile,  the  confused  outline  of  the  pile  of  St.  Ruth  rose 
proudly  against  the  streak  of  light  which  was  gradually 
increasing  above  the  ocean,  and  there  were  moments  when 
the  young  seaman  even  fancied  he  could  discern  the  bright 
caps  that  topped  the  waves  of  his  own  disturbed  element. 
The  long,  dull  roar  of  the  surf,  as  it  tumbled  heavily  on  the 
beach,  or  dashed  with  unbroken  violence  against  the  hard 
boundary  of  rocks,  was  borne  along  by  the  blasts  distinctly 
to  his  ears.  It  was  a  time  and  a  situation  to  cause  the 
young  seaman  to  ponder  deeply  on  the  changes  and  chances 
of  his  hazardous  profession.  Only  a  few  short  hours  had 
passed  since  he  was  striving  with  his  utmost  skill,  and  with 
all  his  collected  energy,  to  guide  the  enormous  fabric,  in 
which  so  many  of  his  comrades  were  now  quietly  sleeping 
on  the  broad  ocean,  from  that  very  shore  on  which  he  now 
stood  in  cool  indifference  to  the  danger.  The  recollection 
of  home,  America,  his  j^outhful  and  enduring  passion,  and 
the  character  and  charms  of  his  mistress,  blended  in  a  sort 
of  wild  and  feverish  confusion,  which  was  not,  however, 
without  its  pleasures,  in  the  ardent  fancy  of  the  young 
man  ;  and  he  was  slowly  approaching,  step  by  step,  towards 
the  Abbey,  when  the  sound  of  footsteps,  proceeding  evi- 
dently from  the  measured  tread  of  disciplined  men,  reached 
his  ears.  He  was  instantly  recalled  to  his  recollection  by 
this  noise,  which  increased  as  the  party  deliberately  ap- 
proached ;  and  in  a  few  moments  he  was  able  to  distinguish 
a  line  of  men,  marching  in  order  towards  the  edge  of  the 
wood,  from  which  he  had  himself  so  recently  issued.  Re- 
tiring rapidly  under  the  deeper  shadow  of  the  trees,  he 


Ube  pilot 


219 


waited  until  it  was  apparent  the  party  intended  to  entej 
under  its  cover  also,  when  he  ventured  to  speak. 

' '  Who  comes  ?  and  on  what  errand  ?  "  he  cried. 

**A  skulker,  and  to  burrow  like  a  rabbit,  or  jump  from 
hole  to  hole,  like  a  wharf-rat!"  said  Manual,  sulkily: 
''here  have  I  been  marching,  within  half  musket-shot  of 
the  enemy,  wdthout  daring  to  pull  a  trigger  even  on  theii 
outposts,  because  our  muzzles  are  plugged  with  that  uni- 
versal extinguisher  of  gunpowder,  called  prudence.  'Fore 
God  !  Mr.  Griffith,  I  hope  you  may  never  feel  the  tempta- 
tion to  do  an  evil  deed,  which  I  felt  just  now  to  throw  a 
volley  of  small  shot  into  that  dog-kennel  of  a  place,  if  it 
were  only  to  break  its  windows,  and  let  in  the  night  air 
upon  the  sleeping  sot  who  is  dozing  away  the  fumes  of  some 
as  good  old  south-side — harkye,  Mr.  Griffith,  one  word  in 
your  ear. ' ' 

A  short  conference  took  place  between  the  two  officers, 
apart  from  the  men,  at  the  close  of  which,  as  they  rejoined 
the  party.  Manual  might  be  heard  urging  his  plans  on  the 
reluctant  ears  of  Griffith  in  the  following  words  : — 

* '  I  could  carry  the  old  dungeon  without  waking  one  of 
the  snorers ;  and  consider,  sir,  we  might  get  a  stock  of  as 
rich  cordial  from  its  cellars  as  ever  oiled  the  throat  of  a 
gentleman!" 

"  'T  is  idle,  't  is  idle,"  said  Griffith,  impatiently  ;  ''we  are 
not  robbers  of  hen-roosts,  nor  wine-gaugers,  to  be  prying 
into  the  vaults  of  the  English  gentry.  Captain  Manual; 
but  honorable  men,  employed  in  the  sacred  cause  of  liberty 
and  our  country.  lyCad  your  party  into  the  ruin,  and  let 
them  seek  their  rest ;  we  may  have  v^ork  for  them  with  the 
dawn." 

' '  Evil  was  the  hour  when  I  quitted  the  line  of  the  army, 
to  place  a  soldier  under  the  orders  of  an  awkward  squad  of 
tarry  jackets  !  "  muttered  Manual,  as  he  proceeded  to  exe- 
cute an  order  that  was  delivered  with  an  air  of  authority 
that  he  knew  must  be  obeyed.  "As  pretty  an  opportunity 
for  a  surprise  and  a  forage  thrown  away,  as  ever  crossed 
the  path  of  a  partisan  !  but,  by  all  the  rights  of  man, 
I  '11  have  an  encampment  in  some  order.    Here,  you  ser- 


220 


TTbe  pilot 


geant,  detail  a  corporal  and  three  men  for  a  picket,  and  sta< 
tion  them  in  the  skirts  of  this  wood.  We  shall  have  a 
sentinel  in  advance  of  our  position,  and  things  shall  be  con- 
ducted with  some  air  of  discipline." 

Griffith  heard  this  order  with  great  inward  disgust ;  but 
as  he  anticipated  the  return  of  the  Pilot  before  the  light 
could  arrive  to  render  this  weak  exposure  of  their  situation 
apparent,  he  forbore  exercising  his  power  to  alter  the  ar- 
rangement. Manual  had,  therefore,  the  satisfaction  of  see- 
ing his  little  party  quartered,  as  he  thought,  in  a  militarj'- 
manner,  before  he  retired  with  Griffith  and  his  men  into 
one  of  the  vaulted  apartments  of  the  ruin,  which,  by  its 
open  and  broken  doors,  invited  their  entrance.  Here  the 
marines  disposed  themselves  to  rest,  while  the  two  officers 
succeeded  in  passing  the  tedious  hours,  without  losing  their 
characters  for  watchfulness,  by  conversing  with  each  other, 
or,  at  whiles,  suffering  their  thoughts  to  roam  in  the  very 
different  fields,  which  fancy  would  exhibit  to  men  of  such 
differing  characters.  In  this  manner  hour  after  hour  passed, 
in  listless  quiet,  or  sullen  expectation,  until  the  day  had 
gradually  advanced,  and  it  became  dangerous  to  keep  the 
sentinels  and  picket  in  a  situation  where  they  were  liable 
to  be  seen  by  any  straggler  who  might  be  passing  near  the 
wood.  Manual  remonstrated  against  any  alteration,  as 
being  entirely  unmilitary,  for  he  was  apt  to  carry  his  notions 
of  tactics  to  extremes  whenever  he  came  in  collision  with  a 
sea  officer ;  but  in  this  instance  his  superior  was  firm,  and 
the  only  concession  the  captain  could  obtain  was  the  per- 
mission to  place  a  solitary  sentinel  within  a  few  feet  of  the 
vault,  though  under  the  cover  of  the  crumbling  walls  of  the 
building  itself.  With  this  slight  deviation  in  their  arrange- 
ments, the  uneasy  party  remained  for  several  hours  longer, 
impatiently  waiting  the  period  when  they  should  be  required 
to  move. 

The  guns  first  fired  from  the  Alacrity  had  been  distinctly 
audible,  and  were  pronounced  by  Griffith,  whose  practised 
ear  detected  the  metal  of  the  piece  that  was  used,  as  not 
proceeding  from  the  schooner.  When  the  rapid  though 
distant  rumbling  of  the  spirited  cannonade  became  audible, 


xrbe  ipilot 


321 


it  was  with  difficulty  that  Griffith  could  restrain  either  his 
own  feelings  or  the  conduct  of  his  companions  within  those 
bounds  that  prudence  and  their  situation  required.  The 
last  gun  was,  however,  fired,  and  not  a  man  had  left  the 
vault,  and  conjectures  as  to  the  result  of  the  fight  succeeded 
to  those  which  had  been  made  on  the  character  of  the  com- 
batants during  the  action.  Some  of  the  marines  would  raise 
their  heads  from  the  fragments  which  served  them  as  pil- 
lows on  which  they  were  seeking  disturbed  and  stolen  slum- 
bers, and  after  listening  to  the  cannon  would  again  compose 
themselves  to  sleep,  like  men  who  felt  no  concern  in  a  con- 
test in  which  they  did  not  participate.  Others,  more  alive 
to  events,  and  less  drowsy,  lavishly  expended  their  rude 
jokes  on  those  who  were  engaged  in  the  struggle,  or  listened 
with  a  curious  interest  to  mark  the  progress  of  the  battle, 
by  the  uncertain  index  of  its  noise.  When  the  fight  had 
been  some  time  concluded,  Manual  indulged  his  ill-humor 
more  at  length  : — 

There  has  been  a  party  of  pleasure  within  a  league  of 
us,  Mr.  Griffith,"  he  said,  **at  which,  but  for  our  present 
subterraneous  quarters,  we  might  have  been  guests,  and 
thus  laid  some  claim  to  the  honor  of  sharing  in  the  victory. 
But  it  is  not  too  late  to  push  the  party  on  as  far  as  the 
cliffs,  where  we  shall  be  in  sight  of  the  vessels,  and  we 
may  possibly  establish  a  claim  to  our  share  of  the  prize- 
money." 

''There  is  but  little  wealth  to  be  gleaned  from  the  cap- 
ture of  a  king's  cutter,"  returned  Griffith;  ''and  there 
would  be  less  honor  were  Barnstable  encumbered  with  our 
additional  and  useless  numbers." 

' '  Useless  !  ' '  repeated  Manual  ;  ' '  there  is  much  good  ser- 
vice to  be  got  out  of  twenty-three  well-drilled  and  well- 
chosen  marines  :  look  at  those  fellows,  Mr.  Griffith,  and 
then  tell  me  if  you  think  them  an  encumbrance  in  the  hour 
of  need." 

Griffith  smiled,  and  glanced  his  eye  over  the  sleeping  group, 
— for  when  the  firing  had  ceased  the  whole  party  had  again 
sought  their  repose, — and  he  could  not  help  admiring  the 
athletic  and  sinewy  limbs  that  lay  scattered  around  th^ 


223 


TLbc  pilot 


gloomy  vault,  in  every  posture  that  ease  or  whim  dictated. 
From  the  stout  frames  of  the  men,  his  glance  was  directed 
to  the  stack  of  fire-arms,  from  whose  glittering  tubes  and 
polished  bayonets  strong  rays  of  light  were  reflected,  even 
in  that  dark  apartment.  Manual  followed  the  direction  of 
his  eyes,  and  watched  the  expression  of  his  countenance, 
with  inward  exultation  ;  but  he  had  the  forbearance  to  await 
his  reply  before  he  manifested  his  feelings  more  openly. 

"I  know  them  to  be  true  men,"  said  Griffith,  "when 
needed,  but — hark  !  what  says  he?  " 

* '  Who  goes  there  !  what  noise  is  that  ?  ' '  repeated  the 
sentinel  who  was  placed  at  the  entrance  of  the  vault. 

Manual  and  Griffith  sprang  at  the  same  instant  from 
their  places  of  rest,  and  stood,  unwilling  to  create  the  slight- 
est sounds,  listening  with  the  most  intense  anxiety  to  catch 
the  next  indications  of  the  cause  of  their  guardian's  alarm. 
A  short  stillness,  like  that  of  death,  succeeded,  during  which 
Griffith  whispered, — 

'T  is  the  Pilot !  his  hour  has  been  long  passed." 

The  words  were  hardly  spoken,  when  the  clashing  of 
steel  in  fierce  and  sudden  contact  was  heard,  and  at  the  next 
instant  the  bodj^  of  the  sentinel  fell  heavily  along  the  stone 
steps  that  led  to  the  open  air,  and  rolled  lifelessly  to  their 
feet,  with  the  baj^onet  that  had  caused  his  death  projecting 
from  a  deep  wound  in  his  breast. 

Away,  away  !  sleepers  away  !  "  shouted  Griffith. 
To  arms  !  "  cried  Manual,  in  a  voice  of  thunder. 

The  alarmed  marines,  suddenly  aroused  from  their  slum- 
bers at  these  thrilling  cries,  sprang  on  their  feet  in  a  con- 
fused cluster,  and  at  that  fatal  moment  a  body  of  living  fire 
darted  into  the  vault,  which  re-echoed  with  the  reports  of 
twenty  muskets.  The  uproar,  the  smoke,  and  the  groans 
which  escaped  from  many  of  his  party,  could  not  restrain 
Griffith  another  instant ;  his  pistol  was  fired  through  the 
cloud  which  concealed  the  entrance  of  the  vault;  and  he 
followed  the  leaden  messenger,  trailing  a  half-pike,  and 
shouting  to  his  men, — 

Come  on  !  follow,  my  lads  ;  they  are  nothing  but  sol- 
diers.'* 


XTbe  pilot 


223 


Kven  while  he  spoke,  the  ardent  young  seaman  was  rushing 
up  the  narrow  passage ;  but  as  he  gained  the  open  space,  his 
foot  struck  the  writhing  body  of  the  victim  of  his  shot,  and 
he  was  precipitated  headlong  into  a  group  of  armed  men. 

"Fire  !  Manual,  fire  !  "  shouted  the  infuriated  prisoner  ; 

fire,  while  you  have  them  in  a  cluster." 

"Ay,  fire,  Mr.  Manual,"  .said  Borroughcli fie,  with  great 
coolness,  *  *  and  shoot  your  own  officer :  hold  him  up,  boys, 
hold  him  up  in  front ;  the  safest  place  is  nighest  to  him." 

"Fire!"  repeated  Griffith,  making  desperate  efforts  to 
release  himself  from  the  grasp  of  five  or  six  men  ;  * '  fire,  and 
disregard  me." 

"  If  he  do,  he  deserves  to  be  hung,"  said  Borroughcliffe  ; 
"  such  fine  fellows  are  not  sufficiently  plenty  to  be  shot 
at  like  wild  beasts  in  chains.  Take  him  from  before  the 
mouth  of  the  vault,  boys,  and  spread  yourselves  to  your 
duty." 

At  the  time  Griffith  issued  from  the  cover,  Manual  was 
nechanically  employed  in  placing  his  men  in  order  ;  and  the 
.narines,  accustomed  to  do  ever>'thing  in  concert  and  array, 
lost  the  moment  to  advance.  The  soldiers  of  Borroughcliffe 
reloaded  their  muskets,  and  fell  back  behind  different  por- 
tions of  the  wall,  where  they  could  command  the  entrance  to 
the  vault  with  their  fire,  without  much  exposure  to  themselves. 
This  disposition  was  very  coolly  reconnoitred  by  Manual  in 
person,  through  some  of  the  crevices  in  the  wall,  and  he 
hesitated  to  advance  against  the  force  he  beheld  while  so 
advantageously  posted.  In  this  situation  several  shots  were 
fired  by  either  party,  without  effect,  until  Borroughcliffe, 
perceiving  the  inefficacy  of  that  mode  of  attack,  summoned 
the  garrison  of  the  vault  to  a  parley. 

"  Surrender  to  the  forces  of  his  majesty,  King  George  the 
Third,"  he  cried,  "  and  I  promise  you  quarter." 

'  *  Will  you  release  your  prisoner,  and  give  us  free  passage 
to  our  vessels  ?  "  asked  Manual ;  ' '  the  garrison  to  march  out 
with  all  the  honors  of  war,  and  officers  to  retain  their  side- 
arms  ? ' ' 

"Inadmissible,"  returned  Borroughcliffe,  with  great  grav- 
ity; "  the  honor  of  his  majesty's  arms,  and  the  welfare  of  the 


224 


Ube  pilot 


realm,  forbid  such  a  treaty  ;  but  I  offer  you  safe  quarter,  and 
honorable  treatment." 

* '  Officers  to  retain  their  side-arms,  your  prisoner  to  be  re- 
leased, and  the  whole  party  to  return  to  America,  on  parole, 
not  to  serve  until  exchanged  !  " 

"  Not  granted,"  said  Borroughcliffe.  "  The  most  that  I 
can  yield  is  a  good  potation  of  the  generous  south-side  ;  and 
if  you  are  the  man  I  take  you  for,  you  will  know  how  to  prize 
such  an  offer. ' ' 

' '  In  what  capacity  do  you  summon  us  to  yield  ?  as  men 
entitled  to  the  benefit  of  the  laws  of  arms,  or  as  rebels  to 
your  king  ? ' ' 

"Ye  are  rebels  all,  gentlemen,"  returned  the  deliberate 
Borroughcliffe,  ' '  and  as  such  ye  must  yield  ;  though  so  far 
as  good  treatment  and  good  fare  goes,  you  are  sure  of  it  while 
in  my  power ;  in  all  other  respects  you  lie  at  the  mercy  of 
his  most  gracious  majesty." 

''Then  let  his  majesty  show  his  gracious  face,  and  come 
and  take  us,  for  I  '11  be — " 

The  asseveration  of  the  marine  was  interrupted  by  Griffith, 
whose  blood  had  sensibly  cooled,  and  whose  generous  feel- 
ings were  awakened  in  behalf  of  his  comrades,  now  that  his 
own  fate  seemed  decided. 

"  Hold,  Manual,"  he  cried,  make  no  rash  oaths  :  Captain 
Borroughcliffe,  I  am  Edward  Griffith,  a  lieutenant  in  the 
navy  of  the  United  American  States,  and  I  pledge  you  my 
honor  to  a  parole — ' ' 

''Release  him,"  said  Borroughcliffe. 

Griffith  advanced  between  the  two  parties,  and  spoke  so  as 
to  be  heard  by  both  : — 

"  I  propose  to  descend  to  the  vault,  and  ascertain  the  loss 
and  present  strength  of  Captain  Manual's  party  :  if  the  latter 
be  not  greater  than  I  apprehend,  I  shall  advise  him  to  sur- 
render on  the  usual  conditions  of  civilized  nations. ' ' 

"  Go,"  said  the  soldier  ;  "  but  stay  ;  is  he  a  half-and-half 
—an  amphibious — pshaw  !  I  mean  a  marine  ? ' ' 

"He  is,  sir,  a  captain  in  that  corps —  " 

"  The  very  man,"  interrupted  Borroughcliffe  ;  "  I  thought 
I  recollected  the  liquid  sounds  of  his  voice.    It  will  be  well 


Zbc  pilot 


225 


to  speak  to  him  of  the  good  fare  of  St.  Ruth  ;  and  you  may 
add,  that  I  know  my  man  :  I  shall  besiege,  instead  of  storm- 
ing him,  with  the  certainty  of  a  surrender  when  his  canteen 
is  empty.  The  vault  he  is  in  holds  no  such  beverage  as  the 
cellars  of  the  Abbey. ' ' 

Griffith  smiled,  in  spite  of  the  occasion  and  his  vexation  ; 
and  making  a  slight  inclination  of  his  head,  he  passed  into 
the  vault,  giving  notice  to  his  friends,  by  his  voice,  in  order 
to  apprise  them  who  approached. 

He  found  six  of  the  marines,  including  the  sentinel,  lying 
dead  on  the  ragged  pavement,  and  four  others  wounded,  but 
stifling  their  groans,  by  the  order  of  their  commander,  that 
they  might  not  inform  the  enemy  of  his  weakness.  With 
the  remaindier  of  his  command  Manual  had  intrenched  him- 
self behind  the  fragment  of  a  wall  that  intersected  the  vault, 
and,  regardless  of  the  dismaying  objects  before  him,  main- 
tained as  bold  a  front,  and  as  momentous  an  air,  as  if  the 
fate  of  a  walled  town  depended  on  his  resolution  and 
ingenuity. 

You  see,  Mr.  Griffith,"  he  cried,  when  the  young  sailor 
approached  this  gloomy  but  really  formidable  arrangement, 
* '  that  nothing  short  of  artillery  can  dislodge  me  :  as  for  that 
drinking  Englishman  above,  let  him  send  down  his  men  by 
platoons  of  eight  or  ten,  and  I  '11  pile  them  up  on  those  steps, 
four  and  five  deep." 

''But  artillery  can  and  will  be  brought,  if  it  should  be 
necessary, ' '  said  Griffith  ;  * '  and  there  is  not  the  least  chance 
of  your  eventual  escape  :  it  may  be  possible  for  you  to 
destroy  a  few  of  the  enemy,  but  you  are  too  humane  to  wish 
to  do  it  unnecessarily." 

"  No  doubt,"  returned  Manual,  with  a  grim  smile  ;  and 
yet  methinks  I  could  find  present  pleasure  in  shooting  seven 
of  them — yes,  just  seven,  which  is  one  more  than  they  have 
struck  off  my  roster. ' ' 

' '  Remember  your  own  wounded, ' '  added  Griffith  ;  ' '  they 
suffer  for  want  of  aid,  while  you  protract  a  useless  defence." 

A  few  smothered  groans  from  the  sufferers  seconded  this 
appeal,  and  Manual  yielded,  though  with  a  very  ill  grace,  to 
the  necessity  of  the  case. 


226 


Ube  ipilot 


*'Go,  then,  and  tell  him  that  we  will  surrender  as  pris- 
oners of  war, ' '  he  said,  * '  on  the  conditions  that  he  grants  me 
my  side-arms,  and  that  suitable  care  shall  be  taken  of  the 
sick — be  particular  to  call  them  sick — for  some  lucky- 
accident  may  yet  occur  before  the  compact  is  ratified,  and  I 
would  not  have  him  learn  our  loss. ' ' 

Griffith,  without  waiting  for  a  second  bidding,  hastened  to 
Borroughclifife  with  his  intelligence. 

* '  His  side-arms  ! ' '  repeated  the  soldier,  when  the  other 
had  done  ;  "what  are  they,  I  pray  thee — a  marlinspike  ?  for 
if  his  equipments  be  no  better  than  thine  own,  my  worthy 
prisoner,  there  is  little  need  to  quarrel  about  their  owner- 
ship. ' ' 

* '  Had  I  but  ten  of  my  meanest  men,  armed  with  such 
half-pikes,  and  Captain  Borroughclifife  and  his  party  were 
put  at  deadly  strife  with  us,"  retorted  Griffith,  "he  might 
find  occasion  to  value  our  weapons  more  highly. ' ' 

"  Four  such  fiery  gentlemen  as  yourself  would  have 
routed  my  command,"  returned  Borroughclifife,  with  undis- 
turbed composure.  "  I  trembled  for  my  ranks  when  I  saw 
you  coming  out  of  the  smoke  like  a  blazing  comet  from 
behind  a  cloud  !  and  I  shall  never  think  of  somersets  without 
returning  inward  thanks  to  their  inventor.  But  our  treaty 
is  made  ;  let  your  comrades  come  forth  and  pile  their  arms." 

Griffith  communicated  the  result  to  the.  captain  of  ma- 
rines, when  the  latter  led  the  remnant  of  his  party  out  of 
his  sunken  fortress  into  the  open  air. 

The  men,  who  had  manifested  throughout  the  whole  busi- 
ness that  cool  subordination  and  unyielding  front,  mixed 
with  the  dauntless  spirit  that  to  this  day  distinguishes  the 
corps  of  which  they  were  members,  followed  their  com- 
mander in  sullen  silence,  and  stacked  their  arms,  with  as 
much  regularity  and  precision  as  if  they  had  been  ordered 
to  relieve  themselves  after  a  march.  When  this  necessary 
preliminary  had  been  observed,  Borroughclifife  unmasked  his 
forces,  and  our  adventurers  found  themselves  once  more  in 
the  power  of  the  enemy,  and  under  circumstances  which 
rendered  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  release  from  their  cap- 
tivity nearly  hopeless. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


**If  your  father  will  do  me  any  honor,  so  ; 
If  not,  let  him  kill  the  next  Percy  himself ; 
I  look  to  be  either  earl  or  duke,  I  can  assure  you." 

King  Henry  IV. 

MANUAL  cast  sundry  discontented  and  sullen  looks 
from  his  captors  to  the  remnant  of  his  own  com- 
mand, while  the  process  of  pinioning  the  latter 
was  conducted,  with  much  discretion,  under  the 
directions  of  Sergeant  Drill,  when  meeting,  in  one  of  his 
dissatisfied  glances,  with  the  pale  and  disturbed  features  of 
Grifiith,  he  gave  vent  to  his  ill-humor,  by  saying, — 

' '  This  results  from  neglecting  the  precautions  of  military 
discipline.  Had  the  command  been  with  me,  who,  I  may 
sa}^  without  boasting,  have  been  accustomed  to  the  duties 
of  the  field,  proper  pickets  would  have  been  posted,  and 
instead  of  being  caught  like  so  man}^  rabbits  in  a  burrow,  to 
be  smoked  out  with  brimstone,  we  should  have  had  an  open 
field  for  the  struggle  ;  or  we  might  have  possessed  ourselves 
of  these  walls,  which  I  could  have  made  good  for  two  hours 
at  least,  against  the  best  regiment  that  ever  wore  King 
George's  facings." 

* '  Defend  the  outworks  before  retreating  to  the  citadel  ! ' ' 
cried  Borroughcliffe ;  "'tis  the  game  of  war,  and  shows 
science :  but  had  you  kept  closer  to  your  burrow,  the 
rabbits  might  now  have  all  been  frisking  about  in  that 
pleasant  abode.  The  eyes  of  a  timid  hind  were  greeted  this 
morning,  while  journeying  near  this  wood,  with  a  passing 
sight  of  armed  men  in  strange  attire  ;  and  as  he  fled,  with 
an  intent  of  casting  himself  into  the  sea,  as  fear  will  some- 

127 


228 


XTbe  pilot 


times  urge  one  of  his  kind  to  do,  he  luckily  encountered  me 

on  the  cliffs,  who  humanely  saved  his  life,  by  compelling  him 
to  conduct  us  hither.  There  is  often  wisdom  in  science,  my 
worthy  contemporary  in  arms  ;  but  there  is  sometimes  safety 
in  ignorance. ' ' 

' '  You  have  succeeded,  sir,  and  have  a  right  to  be  pleas- 
ant," said  Manual,  seating  himself  gloomily  on  a  fragment 
of  the  ruin,  and  fastening  his  looks  on  the  melancholy  spec- 
tacle of  the  lifeless  bodies,  as  they  were  successively  brought 
from  the  vault  and  placed  at  his  feet  ;  '  *  but  these  men  have 
been  my  own  children,  and  you  will  excuse  me  if  I  cannot 
retort  your  pleasantries.  Ah  !  Captain  Borroughcliffe,  you 
are  a  soldier,  and  know  how  to  value  merit.  I  took  those 
very  fellows,  who  sleep  on  these  stones  so  quietly,  from  the 
hands  of  nature,  and  made  them  the  pride  of  our  art. 
They  were  no  longer  men,  but  brave  lads,  who  ate  and 
drank,  wheeled  and  marched,  loaded  and  fired,  laughed  or 
were  sorrowful,  spoke  or  were  silent,  only  at  my  will.  As 
for  soul,  there  was  but  one  among  them  all,  and  that  was  in 
my  keeping  !  Groan,  my  children,  groan  freely  now  ;  there 
is  no  longer  reason  to  be  silent.  I  have  known  a  single 
musket-bullet  cut  the  buttons  from  the  coats  of  five  of  them 
in  a  row,  without  rasing  the  skin  of  a  man  !  I  could  ever 
calculate,  with  certainty,  how  many  it  would  be  necessary 
to  expend  in  all  regular  service  ;  but  this  accursed  banditti 
business  has  robbed  me  of  the  choicest  of  my  treasures. 
You  stand  at  ease  now,  my  children  ;  groan,  it  will  soften 
your  anguish." 

Borroughcliffe  appeared  to  participate,  in  some  degree,  in 
the  feelings  of  his  captive,  and  he  made  a  few  appropriate 
remarks  in  the  way  of  condolence,  while  he  watched  the 
preparations  that  were  making  by  his  own  men  to  move. 
At  length  his  orderly  announced  that  substitutes  for  bar- 
rows were  provided  to  sustain  the  wounded,  and  inquired  if 
it  were  his  pleasure  to  return  to  their  quarters. 

"Who  has  seen  the  horse?"  demanded  the  captain; 
''which  way  did  they  march?  Have  they  gained  any  tid- 
ings of  the  discovery  of  this  party  of  the  enemy  ? ' ' 

"  Not  from  us,  your  honor^' '  returned  the  sergeant ;  the]^ 


Ube  pilot 


229 


had  ridden  along  the  coast  before  we  left  the  cliffs,  and  it 
was  said  their  officer  intended  to  scour  the  shore  for  several 
miles,  and  spread  the  alarm." 

* '  lyCt  him  ;  it  is  all  such  gay  gallants  are  good  for.  Drill, 
honor  is  almost  as  scarce  an  article  with  our  arms  just  now 
as  promotion.  We  seem  but  the  degenerate  children  of  the 
heroes  of  Poictiers  ;  you  understand  me,  sergeant  ? ' ' 

"Some  battle  fou't  by  his  majesty's  troops  against  the 
French,  your  honor,"  returned  the  orderly,  a  little  at  a  loss 
to  comprehend  the  expression  of  his  officer's  eye. 

"Fellow,  you  grow  dull  on  victory,"  exclaimed  Bor- 
roughcliffe  :  ' '  come  hither,  I  would  give  you  orders.  Do 
you  think,  Mister  Drill,  there  is  more  honor,  or  likely  to  be 
more  profit,  in  this  little  morning's  amusement  than  you  and 
I  can  stand  under  ? ' ' 

'  *  I  should  not,  your  honor  :  we  have  both  pretty  broad 
shoulders — ' ' 

"That  are  not  weakened  by  undue  burthens  of  this 
nature, ' '  interrupted  his  captain,  significantly  :  "if  we  let 
the  news  of  this  affair  reach  the  ears  of  those  hungry  dra- 
goons, they  would  charge  upon  us  open-mouthed,  like  a  pack 
of  famished  beagles,  and  claim  at  least  half  the  credit,  and 
certainly  all  the  profit. ' ' 

"  But,  your  honor,  there  was  not  a  man  of  them  even — " 

"No  matter,  Drill;  I  've  known  troops  that  have  been 
engaged,  and  have  suffered,  cheated  out  of  their  share  of 
victory  by  a  well- worded  despatch.  You  know,  fellow,  that 
in  the  smoke  and  confusion  of  a  battle  a  man  can  only  see 
what  passes  near  him,  and  common  prudence  requires  that 
he  only  mention  in  his  official  letters  what  he  knows  can't 
be  easily  contradicted.  Thus  your  Indians,  and,  indeed,  all 
allies,  are  not  entitled  to  the  right  of  a  general  order,  any 
more  than  to  the  right  of  a  parade.  Now,  I  dare  say,  you 
have  heard  of  a  certain  battle  of  Blenheim  ? ' ' 

"  Lord  !  your  honor,  't  is  the  pride  of  the  British  army, 
that  and  the  Culloden  !  'T  was  when  the  great  Corporal 
John  beat  the  French  king,  and  all  his  lords  and  nobility 
with  half  his  nation  in  arms  to  back  him." 

"  Ay  !  there  is  a  little  of  the  barrack  readings  in  the  ac 


TLbc  pilot 


count,  but  it  is  substantially  true ;  know  you  how  man3 
French  were  in  the  field  that  day,  Mister  Drill  ? ' ' 

I  have  never  seen  the  totals  of  their  muster,  sir,  in 
Jirlnt;  but,  judging  by  the  difference  betwixt  the  nations,  I 
should  suppose  some  hundreds  of  thousands. ' ' 

"And  yet,  to  oppose  this  vast  army,  the  duke  had  only 
ten  or  twelve  thousand  well-fed  Englishmen  !  You  look 
astounded,  sergeant !  " 

**  Why,  your  honor,  that  does  seem  rather  an  overmatch 
for  an  old  soldier  to  swallow  ;  the  random  shot  would  sweep 
away  so  small  a  force." 

* '  And  yet  the  battle  was  fought,  and  the  victory  won  ! 
but  the  Duke  of  Marlborough  had  a  certain  Mr.  Eugene, 
with  some  fifty  or  sixty  thousand  High-Dutchers,  to  back 
him.    You  never  heard  of  Mr.  Eugene  ?  " 

"Not  a  syllable,  your  honor;  I  always  thought  that 
Corporal  John — ' ' 

' '  Was  a  gallant  and  great  general  ;  you  thought  right, 
Mister  Drill.  So  would  a  certain  nameless  gentleman  be 
also,  if  his  majesty  would  sign  a  commission  to  that  effect. 
However,  a  majority  is  on  the  high  road  to  a  regiment,  and 
with  even  a  regiment  a  man  is  comfortable  !  In  plain 
English,  Mister  Drill,  we  must  get  our  prisoners  into  the 
Abbey  with  as  little  noise  as  possible,  in  order  that  the 
horse  may  continue  their  gambols  along  the  coast,  without 
coming  to  devour  our  meal.  All  the  fuss  must  be  made  at 
the  war-oflBce  :  for  that  trifle  you  may  trust  me  ;  I  think  I 
know  who  holds  a  quill  that  is  as  good  in  its  way  as  the 
sword  he  wears.  Drill  is  a  short  name,  and  can  easily  be 
written  within  the  folds  of  a  letter. ' ' 

*'  Ivord,  your  honor  !  "  said  the  gratified  halberdier,  "  I 'm 
sure  such  an  honor  is  more — but  your  honor  can  ever 
command  me  ! ' ' 

"I  do  ;  and  it  is  to  be  close,  and  to  make  your  men  keep 
close,  until  it  shall  be  time  to  speak,  when  I  pledge  myself 
there  shall  be  noise  enough."  Borroughcliffe  shook  his 
head,  with  a  grave  air,  as  he  continued,  "  It  has  been  a  devil 
of  a  bloody  fight,  sergeant  !  look  at  the  dead  and  wounded ; 
a  wood  on  each  flank — supported  by  a  ruin  in  the  centre. 


XTbe  pilot 


O  !  ink — ink  can  be  spilt  on  the  details  with  great  effect. 
Go,  fellow,  and  prepare  to  march." 

Thus  enlightened  on  the  subject  of  his  commander's 
ulterior  views,  the  non-commissioned  agent  of  the  captain's 
wishes  proceeded  to  give  suitable  instructions  to  the  rest  of 
the  party,  and  to  make  the  more  immediate  preparations  for 
a  march.  The  arrangements  were  soon  completed.  The 
bodies  of  the  slain  were  left  unsheltered,  the  seclusion  of 
the  ruin  being  deemed  a  sufficient  security  against  the 
danger  of  any  discovery,  until  darkness  should  favor  their 
removal,  in  conformity  with  Borroughcliffe's  plan  to  monop- 
olize the  glory.  The  wounded  were  placed  on  rude  litters, 
composed  of  the  muskets  and  blankets  of  the  prisoners, 
when  the  conquerors  and  vanquished  moved  together  in  a 
compact  body  from  the  ruin,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  make 
the  former  serve  as  a  mask  to  conceal  the  latter  from  the 
curious  gaze  of  any  casual  passenger.  There  was  but  little, 
indeed,  to  apprehend  on  this  head,  for  the  alarm  and  the 
terror,  consequent  on  the  exaggerated  reports  that  flew 
through  the  country,  effectually  prevented  any  intruders  on 
the  usually  quiet  and  retired  domains  of  St.  Ruth. 

The  party  was  emerging  from  the  wood,  when  the  crack- 
ing of  branches,  and  rustling  of  dried  leaves,  announced, 
however,  that  an  interruption  of  some  sort  was  about  to 
occur. 

"If  it  should  be  one  of  their  rascally  patrols ! ' '  ex- 
claimed Borroughcliffe,  with  very  obvious  displeasure, 
**they  trample  like  a  regiment  of  cavalry  !  but,  gentlemen, 
you  will  acknowledge  yourselves,  that  we  were  retiring 
from  the  field  of  battle  when  we  met  the  reinforcement,  if 
it  should  prove  to  be  such." 

* '  We  are  not  disposed,  sir,  to  deny  you  the  glory  of  hav- 
ing  achieved  your  victory  single-handed,"  said  Griffith, 
glancing  his  eyes  uneasily  in  the  direction  of  the  approach- 
ing sounds,  expecting  to  see  the  Pilot  issue  from  the  thicket 
in  which  he  seemed  to  be  entangled,  instead  of  any  detach- 
ment of  his  enemies. 

Clear  the  way,  Caesar  !  "  cried  a  voice  at  no  great  dis- 
tance from  them  ;  ' '  break  through  the  accursed  vines  on 


Ube  pilot 


my  right,  Pompey  ! — press  forward,  my  fine  fellows,  or  We 

may  be  too  late  to  smell  even  the  smoke  of  the  fight." 

"Hum!"  ejaculated  the  captain,  with  his  philosophic 
indifference  of  manner  entirely  re-established,  ' '  this  must  be 
a  Roman  legion  just  awoke  from  a  trance  of  some  seven- 
teen centuries,  and  that  the  voice  of  a  centurion.  We  will 
halt,  Mister  Drill,  and  view  the  manner  of  an  ancient 
march  ! ' ' 

While  the  captain  was  yet  speaking,  a  violent  effort  dis- 
engaged the  advancing  party  from  the  thicket  of  brambles 
in  which  they  had  been  entangled,  when  two  blacks,  each 
bending  under  a  load  of  fire-arms,  preceded  Colonel  Howard 
into  the  clear  space  where  Borroughclifife  had  halted  his 
detachment.  Some  little  time  was  necessary  to  enable  the 
veteran  to  arrange  his  disordered  dress,  and  to  remove  the 
perspiring  effects  of  the  unusual  toil  from  his  features,  before 
he  could  observe  the  addition  to  the  captain's  numbers. 

"We  heard  you  fire,"  cried  the  old  soldier,  making,  at 
the  same  time,  the  most  diligent  application  of  his  bandanna, 
"and  I  determined  to  aid  you  with  a  sortie,  which,  when 
judiciously  timed,  has  been  the  means  of  raising  many 
a  siege ;  though,  had  Montcalm  rested  quietly  within  his 
walls,  the  plains  of  Abr'am  might  never  have  drunk  his 
blood." 

"  O  !  his  decision  was  soldierly,  and  according  to  all  rules 
of  war,"  exclaimed  Manual;  "and  had  I  followed  his 
example,  this  day  might  have  produced  a  different  tale ! 

"  Why,  who  have  we  here  !  "  cried  the  colonel,  in  aston- 
ishment ;  *  *  who  is  it  that  pretends  to  criticise  battles  and 
sieges,  dressed  in  such  a  garb  ?  " 

" 'T  is  a  dux  incognitorum^  my  worthy  host,"  said  Bor- 
roughcliffe  ;  ' '  which  means,  in  our  English  language,  a  cap- 
tain of  marines  in  the  service  of  the  American  Congress. ' ' 

' '  What !  have  you  then  met  the  enemy  ?  ay  !  and  by  the 
the  fame  of  the  immortal  Wolfe  you  have  captured  them  ! ' ' 
cried  the  delighted  veteran.  * '  I  was  pressing  on  with  a  part 
of  my  garrison  to  your  assistance,  for  I  had  seen  that  you 
were  marching  in  this  direction,  and  even  the  report  of  a  few 
muskets  was  heard.'* 


Xlbe  pilot 


233 


**  A  few  !  "  interrupted  the  conqueror  ;  "  I  know  not  what 
you  call  a  few,  my  gallant  and  ancient  friend  :  you  may  pos- 
sibly have  shot  at  each  other  by  the  week  in  the  days  of 
Wolfe,  and  Abercrombie,  and  Braddock  ;  but  I  too  have 
seen  smart  firing,  and  can  hazard  an  opinion  in  such  mat- 
ters. There  was  as  pretty  a  roll  made  by  fire-arms  at  the 
battles  on  the  Hudson  as  ever  rattled  from  a  drum  ;  it  is  all 
over,  and  many  live  to  talk  of  it  :  but  this  has  been  the  most 
desperate  affair,  for  the  numbers,  I  ever  was  engaged  in  !  I 
speak  always  with  a  reference  to  the  numbers.  The  wood 
is  pretty  well  sprinkled  with  dead ;  and  we  have  contrived 
to  bring  off  a  few  of  the  desperately  wounded  with  us,  as 
you  may  perceive. ' ' 

Bless  me  !  "  exclaimed  the  surprised  veteran,  "that  such 
an  engagement  should  happen  within  musket-shot  of  the 
Abbey,  and  I  know  so  little  of  it !  My  faculties  are  on  the 
wane,  I  fear,  for  the  time  has  been  when  a  single  discharge 
would  rouse  me  from  the  deepest  sleep." 

The  bayonet  is  a  silent  weapon,"  returned  the  com- 
posed captain,  with  a  significant  wave  of  his  hand  ;  *"t  is 
the  Englishman's  pride,  and  every  experienced  officer  knows, 
that  one  thrust  from  it  is  worth  the  fire  of  a  whole  platoon." 

What,  did  you  come  to  the  charge  !  "  cried  the  colonel ; 
''by  the  Lord,  Borroughcliffe,  my  gallant  young  friend,  I 
would  have  given  twenty  tierces  of  rice,  and  two  able-bodied 
negroes,  to  have  seen  the  fray  ! ' ' 

' '  It  would  have  been  a  pleasant  spectacle  to  witness,  sans 
disputation,"  returned  the  captain;  "but  victory  is  ours 
without  the  presence  of  Achilles,  this  time.  I  have  them,  all 
that  sirrvive  the  affair ;  at  least,  all  that  have  put  foot  on 
English  soil." 

"Ay,  and  the  king's  cutter  has  brought  in  the  schooner  !  " 
added  Colonel  Howard.  ' '  Thus  perish  all  rebellion  for  ever- 
more !  Where's  Kit?  my  kinsman,  Mr.  Christopher  Dil- 
lon ?  I  would  ask  him  what  the  laws  of  the  realm  next 
prescribe  to  loyal  subjects.  Here  will  be  work  for  the  jurors 
of  Middlesex,  Captain  Borroughcliffe,  if  not  for  a  secretary 
of  state's  warrant.  Where  is  Kit,  my  kinsman  ;  the  ductile, 
>e  sagacious,  the  loyal  Christopher? 


234 


XTbe  pilot 


"  The  Cacique  '  non  est,'  as  more  than  one  baiHff  has  said 
of  sundry  clever  fellows  in  our  regiment,  when  there  has 
been  a  pressing  occasion  for  their  appearance,"  said  the 
soldier  ;  ' '  but  the  cornet  of  horse  has  given  me  reason  to 
believe  that  his  provincial  lordship,  who  repaired  on  board 
the  cutter  to  give  intelligence  of  the  position  of  the  enemy, 
continued  there  to  share  the  dangers  and  honors  of  naval 
combat." 

*'Ay,  'tis  like  him!"  cried  the  colonel,  rubbing  his 
hands  with  glee  ;  " 't  is  like  him  !  he  has  forgotten  the  law 
and  his  peaceful  occupations,  at  the  sounds  of  military  prepa- 
rations, and  has  carried  the  head  of  a  statesman  into  the 
fight,  with  the  ardor  and  thoughtlessness  of  a  boy." 

"  The  Cacique  is  a  man  of  discretion,"  observed  the  cap- 
tain, with  all  his  usual  dryness  of  manner,  ' '  and  will,  doubt- 
less, recollect  his  obligations  to  posterity  and  himself,  though 
he  be  found  entangled  in  the  mazes  of  a  combat.  But  I 
marvel  that  he  does  not  return,  for  some  time  has  now 
elapsed  since  the  schooner  struck  her  flag,  as  my  own  eyes 
have  witnessed." 

''You  will  pardon  me,  gentlemen,"  said  GriflBth,  advanc- 
ing towards  them  with  uncontrollable  interest ;  ' '  but  I  have 
unavoidably  heard  part  of  your  discourse,  and  cannot  think 
you  will  find  it  necessary  to  withhold  the  whole  truth  from 
a  disarmed  captive  ;  say  you  that  a  schooner  has  been  cap- 
tured this  morning  ?  ' ' 

It  is  assuredly  true,"  said  Borroughclifie,  with  a  display 
of  nature  and  delicacy  in  his  manner  that  did  his  heart 
infinite  credit ;  ' '  but  I  forbore  to  tell  you,  because  I 
thought  your  own  misfortimes  would  be  enough  for  one 
time.  Mr.  Grifiith,  this  gentleman  is  Colonel  Howard, 
to  whose  hospitality  you  will  be  indebted  for  some  favors 
before  we  separate." 

Griffith  !  "  echoed  the  colonel,  in  quick  reply,  "  Griffith! 
what  a  sight  for  my  old  eyes  to  witness  ! — the  child  of 
worthy,  gallant,  loyal  Hugh  Griffith  a  captive,  and  taken 
in  arms  against  his  prince  !  Young  man,  young  man,  what 
would  thy  honest  father,  what  would  his  bosom  friend,  my 
own  poor  brother  Harry,  have  said,  had  it  pleased  God  that 


xrbe  pilot 


235 


they  had  survived  to  witness  this  burning  shame  and  lasting 
stigma  on  thy  respectable  name  ?  ' ' 

* '  Had  my  father  Hved,  he  would  now  have  been  uphold- 
ing the  independence  of  his  native  land,"  said  the  young 
man,  proudly.  "I  wish  to  respect  even  the  prejudices  of 
Colonel  Howard,  and  beg  he  will  forbear  urging  a  subject 
on  which  I  fear  we  never  shall  agree." 

' '  Never,  while  thou  art  to  be  found  in  the  ranks  of  re- 
bellion !"  cried  the  colonel.  !  boy,  boy  !  how  I  could 
have  loved  and  cherished  thee,  if  the  skill  and  knowledge 
obtained  in  the  service  of  thy  prince  were  now  devoted  to 
the  maintenance  of  his  unalienable  rights  !  I  loved  thy 
father,  worthy  Hugh,  even  as  I  loved  my  own  brother 
Harry." 

**And  his  son  should  still  be  dear  to  you,"  interrupted 
Griffith,  taking  the  reluctant  hand  of  the  colonel  into  both 
his  own. 

**Ah,  Edward,  Edward!"  continued  the  softened  vet- 
eran, ''how  many  of  my  day-dreams  have  been  destroyed 
by  thy  perversity  !  nay,  I  know  not  that  Kit,  discreet  and 
loyal  as  he  is,  could  have  found  such  favor  in  my  eyes  as 
thyself ;  there  is  a  cast  of  thy  father  in  that  face  and  smile, 
Ned,  that  might  have  won  me  to  anything  short  of  treason 
— and  then,  Cicely,  provoking,  tender,  mutinous,  kind,  af- 
fectionate, good  Cicely,  would  have  been  a  link  to  unite  us 
forever. ' ' 

The  youth  cast  a  hasty  glance  at  the  deliberate  Bor- 
roughcliffe,  who,  if  he  had  obeyed  the  impatient  expression 
of  his  eye,  would  have  followed  the  party  that  was  slowly 
bearing  the  wounded  towards  the  Abbey,  before  he  yielded 
to  his  feelings,  and  answered, — 

''Nay,  sir;  let  this  then  be  the  termination  of  our  mis- 
understanding— your  lovely  niece  shall  be  that  link,  and 
you  shall  be  to  me  as  your  friend  Hugh  would  have  been 
had  he  lived,  and  to  Cecilia  twice  a  parent." 

"  Boy,  boy,"  said  the  veteran,  averting  his  face  to  conceal 
the  working  of  his  muscles,  '  *  you  talk  idly ;  my  word  is 
now  plighted  to  my  kinsman  Kit,  and  thy  scheme  is  imprac- 
ticable." 


236 


xrbe  pilot 


"Nothing  is  impracticable,  sir,  to  youth  and  enterprise, 
when  aided  by  age  and  experience  like  yours,"  returned 
Grifl&th  ;  "  this  war  must  soon  terminate." 

This  war  !  "  echoed  the  colonel,  shaking  loose  the  grasp 
which  Griffith  held  on  his  arm;  "ay,  what  of  this  war, 
young  man  ?  Is  it  not  an  accursed  attempt  to  deny  the 
rights  of  our  gracious  sovereign,  and  to  place  tyrants,  reared 
in  kennels,  on  the  throne  of  princes  !  a  scheme  to  elevate 
the  wicked  at  the  expense  of  the  good  !  a  project  to  aid 
unrighteous  ambition,  under  the  mask  of  sacred  liberty  and 
the  popular  cry  of  equality  !  as  if  there  could  be  liberty 
without  order  !  or  equality  of  rights,  where  the  privileges  of 
the  sovereign  are  not  as  sacred  as  those  of  the  people  ! ' ' 

You  judge  us  harshly,  Colonel  Howard,"  said  Griffith. 

"I  judge  you!"  interrupted  the  old  soldier,  who,  by 
this  time,  thought  the  youth  resembled  any  one  rather  than 
his  friend  Hugh  ;  "  it  is  not  my  province  to  judge  you  at 
all ;  if  it  were  ! — but  the  time  will  come,  the  time  will  come. 
I  am  a  patient  man,  and  can  wait  the  course  of  things  ;  yes, 
yes,  age  cools  the  blood,  and  we  learn  to  suppress  the  pas- 
sions and  impatience  of  youth  :  but  if  the  ministry  would 
issue  a  commission  of  justice  for  the  colonies,  and  put  the 
name  of  old  George  Howard  in  it,  I  am  a  dog,  if  there 
should  be  a  rebel  alive  in  twelve  months.  Sir,"  turning 
sternly  to  Borroughcliffe,  ' '  in  such  a  cause,  I  could  prove  a 
Roman,  and  hang — hang — yes,  I  do  think,  sir,  I  could  hang 
my  kinsman,  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon  !  " 

*  *  Spare  the  Cacique  such  an  unnatural  elevation  before 
his  time,"  returned  the  captain,  with  a  grave  wave  of  the 
hand:  "behold,"  pointing  towards  the  wood,  "there  is  a 
more  befitting  subject  for  the  gallows  !  Mr.  Griffith,  yon- 
der man  calls  himself  your  comrade  ?  ' ' 

The  eyes  of  Colonel  Howard  and  Griffith  followed  the 
direction  of  his  finger,  and  the  latter  instantly  recognized 
the  Pilot,  standing  in  the  skirts  of  the  wood,  with  his  anna 
folded,  apparently  surveying  the  condition  of  his  friends. 

"That  man,"  said  Griffith,  in  confusion,  and  hesitating 
to  utter  even  the  equivocal  truth  that  suggested  itself,  "  that 
man  does  not  belong  to  our  ship's  company.'* 


Ubc  pilot 


237 


"  And  yet  he  has  been  seen  in  your  company,"  returned 
the  incredulous  Borroughcliffe  ;  ' '  he  was  the  spokesman  in 
last  night's  examination,  Colonel  Howard^  and,  doubtless, 
commands  the  rear-guard  of  the  rebels." 

"You  say  true,"  cried  the  veteran  ;  Pompey  !  Caesar, 
present !  fire  ! ' ' 

The  blacks  started  at  the  sudden  orders  of  their  master, 
of  whom  they  stood  in  the  deepest  awe  ;  and,  presenting 
their  muskets,  they  averted  their  faces,  and  shutting  their 
eyes,  obeyed  the  bloody  mandate. 

*  *  Charge  !  ' '  shouted  the  colonel,  flourishing  the  ancient 
sword  with  which  he  had  armed  himself,  and  pressing  for- 
ward with  all  the  activity  that  a  recent  fit  of  the  gout  would 
allow  ;  *  *  charge,  and  exterminate  the  dogs  with  the  bayo- 
net !  push  on,  Pompey — dress,  boys,  dress." 

''If  your  friend  stand  this  charge,"  said  Borroughclifie 
to  Grifiith,  with  unmoved  composure,  '  *  his  nerves  are  made 
of  iron  ;  such  a  charge  would  break  the  Coldstreams  ;  with 
Pompey  in  the  ranks  !  ' ' 

trust  in  God;"  cried  Grifiith,  he  will  have  forbear- 
ance enough  to  respect  the  weakness  of  Colonel  Howard — 
he  presents  a  pistol  ! ' ' 

* '  But  he  will  not  fire ;  the  Romans  deem  it  prudent  to 
halt ;  nay,  by  Heaven,  they  countermarch  to  the  rear. 
Holla !  Colonel  Howard,  my  worthy  host,  fall  back  on 
your  reinforcements ;  the  wood  is  full  of  armed  men ;  they 
cannot  escape  us ;  I  only  wait  for  the  horse  to  cut  off  the 
retreat." 

The  veteran,  who  had  advanced  within  a  short  distance 
of  the  single  man  who  thus  deliberately  awaited  the  attack, 
halted  at  this  summons  ;  and,  by  a  glance  of  his  eye,  ascer- 
tained that  he  stood  alone.  Believing  the  words  of  Bor- 
roughclifie to  be  true,  he  slowly  retired,  keeping  his  face 
manfully  towards  his  enemy,  until  he  gained  the  support  of 
the  captain. 

''Recall  the  troops,  Borroughclifie  !  "  he  cried,  "  and  let 
us  charge  into  the  wood ;  they  will  fly  before  his  majesty's 
arms  like  guilty  scoundrels,  as  they  are.  As  for  the  ne- 
groes, I  '11  teach  the  black  rascals  to  desert  their  master  at 


XTbe  pilot 


such  a  moment.  They  say  Fear  is  pale,  but,  damme,  Bor- 
roughcliffe,  if  I  do  not  believe  his  skin  is  black." 

' '  I  have  seen  him  of  all  colors ;  blue,  white,  black,  and 
party-colored,"  said  the  captain.  "I  must  take  the  com- 
mand of  matters  on  myself,  however,  my  excellent  host ; 
let  us  retire  into  the  Abbey,  and  trust  me  to  cut  off  the 
remainder  of  the  rebels." 

In  this  arrangement  the  colonel  reluctantly  acquiesced, 
and  the  three  followed  the  soldier  to  the  dwelling,  at  a  pace 
that  was  adapted  to  the  infirmities  of  its  master.  The  ex- 
citement of  the  onset,  and  the  current  of  his  ideas,  had 
united,  however,  to  banish  every  amicable  thought  from  the 
breast  of  the  colonel,  and  he  entered  the  Abbey  with  a  reso- 
lute determination  of  seeing  justice  dealt  to  Griffith  and  his 
companions,  even  though  it  should  push  them  to  the  foot 
of  the  gallows. 

As  the  gentlemen  disappeared  from  his  view,  among  the 
shrubbery  of  the  grounds,  the  Pilot  replaced  the  weapon 
that  was  hanging  from  his  hand,  in  his  bosom,  and,  turn- 
ing with  a  saddened  and  thoughtful  brow,  he  slowly 
re-entered  the  wood. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


**  When  these  prodigies 
Do  so  conjointly  meet,  let  not  men  say, 
These  are  their  reasons, — They  are  natural  ; 
For,  I  believe  they  are  portentous  things 
Unto  the  climate  that  they  point  upon." 

Casca. 

THE  reader  will  discover,  by  referring  to  the  time 
consumed  in  the  foregoing  events,  that  the  Ariel, 
with  her  prize,  did  not  anchor  in  the  bay  already 
mentioned,  until  Griffith  and  his  party  had  been 
for  several  hours  in  the  custody  of  their  enemies.  The  sup- 
posed capture  of  the  rebel  schooner  was  an  incident  that  ex- 
cited but  little  interest,  and  no  surprise,  among  a  people  who 
were  accustomed  to  consider  their  seamen  as  invincible  ;  and 
Barnstable  had  not  found  it  a  difficult  task  to  practise  his 
deception  on  the  few  rustics  whom  curiosity  induced  to  ven- 
ture alongside  the  vessels  during  the  short  continuance  of 
daylight.  When,  however,  the  fogs  of  evening  began  to 
rise  along  the  narrow  basin,  and  the  curvatures  of  its  mar- 
gin were  lost  in  the  single  outline  of  its  dark  and  gloomy 
border,  the  young  seaman  thought  it  time  to  apply  himself 
in  earnest  to  his  duty.  The  Alacrity,  containing  all  her 
own  crew,  together  with  the  Ariel's  wounded,  was  gotten 
silently  under  way  ;  and  driving  easily  before  the  heavy  air 
that  swept  from  the  land,  she  drifted  from  the  harbor,  until 
the  open  sea  lay  before  her,  when  her  sails  were  spread,  and 
she  continued  to  make  the  best  of  her  way  in  quest  of  the 
frigate.  Barnstable  had  watched  this  movement  with 
breathless  anxiety ;  for  on  an  eminence  that  completely 
commanded  the  waters  to  some  distance,  a  small  but  rudt 

339 


240 


Ube  pilot 


battery  had  been  erected  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the 
harbor  against  the  depredations  and  insults  of  the  smaller 
vessels  of  the  enemy,  and  a  guard  of  sufficient  force  to  man- 
age the  two  heavy  guns  it  contained  was  maintained  in  the 
work  at  all  times.  He  was  ignorant  how  far  this  stratagem 
had  been  successful,  and  it  was  only  when  he  heard  the 
fluttering  of  the  Alacrity's  canvas,  as  she  opened  it  to  the 
breeze,  that  he  felt  he  was  yet  secure. 

"  'Twill  reach  the  Englishmen's  ears,"  said  the  boy 
Merry,  who  stood  on  the  forecastle  of  the  schooner,  by  the 
side  of  his  commander,  listening  with  breathless  interest  to 
the  sounds  ;  ' '  they  set  a  sentinel  on  the  point,  as  the  sun 
went  down,  and  if  he  is  a  trifle  better  than  a  dead  man,  or 
a  marine  asleep,  he  will  suspect  something  is  wrong." 

"Never  !  "  returned  Barnstable,  with  a  long  breath,  that 
announced  all  his  apprehensions  were  removed  ;  "he  will  be 
more  likely  to  believe  it  a  mermaid  fanning  herself  this  cool 
evening,  than  to  suspect  the  real  fact.  What  say  you, 
Master  Coffin  ?  will  the  soldier  smell  the  truth  ?  ' ' 

"They're  a  dumb  race,"  said  the  cockswain,  casting  his 
eyes  over  his  shoulders,  to  ascertain  that  none  of  their  own 
marine  guard  was  near  him  ;  "  nov/,  there  was  our  sergeant, 
who  ought  to  know  something,  seeing  that  he  has  been 
afloat  these  four  years,  maintained,  dead  in  the  face  and 
eyes  of  what  every  man,  who  has  ever  doubled  Good  Hope, 
knows  to  be  true,  that  there  was  no  such  vessel  to  be  fallen 
in  with  in  them  seas,  as  the  Flying  Dutchman  !  and  then, 
again,  when  I  told  him  that  he  was  a  *  know-nothing,'  and 
asked  him  if  the  Dutchman  was  a  more  unlikely  thing  than 
that  there  should  be  places  where  the  inhabitants  split  the 
year  into  two  watches,  and  had  day  for  six  months,  and 
night  the  rest  of  the  time,  the  greenhorn  laughed  in  my 
face,  and  I  do  believe  he  would  have  told  me  I  lied,  but  fot 
one  thing." 

"  And  what  might  that  be?  "  asked  Barnstable,  gravely. 

* '  Why,  sir, ' '  returned  Tom,  stretching  his  bony  fingers, 
ds  he  surveyed  his  broad  palm,  by  the  little  light  that  re- 
mained, "  though  I  am  a  peaceable  man,  I  can  be  roused." 

"  And  you  have  seen  the  f^lying  Dutchman  ?  " 


TLbc  pilot 


241 


* '  I  never  doubled  the  east  cape  ;  though  I  can  find  my 
way  through  Le  Maire  in  the  darkest  night  that  ever  fell 
from  the  heavens  ;  but  I  have  seen  them  that  have  seen  her, 
ana  spoken  her  too." 

"Well,  be  it  so;  you  must  turn  flying  Yankee,  yourself, 
to-night.  Master  Coffin.  Man  your  boat  at  once,  sir,  and 
arm  your  crew." 

The  coxswain  paused  a  moment  before  he  proceeded  to 
obey  this  unexpected  order,  and,  pointing  towards  the  bat- 
tery, he  inquired  with  infinite  phlegm, — 

"For  shore-work,  sir?  Shall  we  take  the  cutlashes  and 
pistols  ?  or  shall  we  want  the  pikes  ? ' ' 

"  There  may  be  soldiers  in  our  way,  with  their  bayonets," 
said  Barnstable,  musing  ;  "arm  as  usual,  but  throw  a  few 
long  pikes  into  the  boat ;  and  harkye,  Master  Coffin,  out 
with  3^our  tub  and  whale-line  :  for  I  see  you  have  rigged 
yourself  anew  in  that  way." 

The  cockswain,  who  was  moving  from  the  forecastle, 
turned  short  at  this  new  mandate,  and  with  an  air  of  remon- 
strance, ventured  to  say, — 

' '  Trust  an  old  whaler,  Captain  Barnstable,  who  has  been 
used  to  these  craft  all  his  life.  A  whale-boat  is  made  to 
pull  with  a  tub  and  line  in  it,  as  naturally  as  a  ship  is  made 
to  sail  with  ballast,  and — ' ' 

' '  Out  with  it,  out  -with,  it, ' '  interrupted  the  other,  with  an 
impatient  gesture,  that  his  coxswain  knew  signified  a  pos- 
itive determination.  Heaving  a  sigh  at  what  he  deemed  his 
commander's  prejudice,  Tom  applied  himself  without  further 
delay  to  the  execution  of  the  orders.  Barnstable  laid  his 
hand  familiarly  on  the  shoulder  of  the  boy,  and  led  him  to 
the  stem  of  his  little  vessel,  in  profoimd  silence.  The  can- 
vas hood  that  covered  the  entrance  to  the  cabin  was  thrown 
partly  aside  ;  and  by  the  light  of  the  lamp  that  was  burning 
in  the  small  apartment,  it  w^as  easy  to  overlook,  from  the 
deck,  what  was  passing  beneath  them.  Dillon  sat  support- 
ing his  head  with,  his  two  hands,  in  a  manner  that  shaded 
his  face,  but  in  an  attitude  that  denoted  deep  and  abstracted 
musing. 

*  *  I  would  that  I  could  see  the  face  of  my  prisoner, ' '  said 


242 


Ube  pilot 


Barnstable,  in  an  undertone,  that  was  audible  only  to  his 
companion.  *'The  eye  of  a  man  is  a  sort  of  light-house 
to  tell  one  how  to  steer  into  the  haven  of  his  confidence, 
boy." 

"And  sometimes  a  beacon,  sir,  to  warn  you  there  is  no 
safe  anchorage  near  him,"  returned  the  ready  boy. 

' '  Rogue  ! ' '  muttered  Barnstable,  * '  your  cousin  Kate 
spoke  there." 

If  my  cousin  Plowden  were  here,  Mr.  Barnstable,  I 
know  that  her  opinion  of  3^on  gentleman  would  not  be  at 
all  more  favorable." 

"  And  yet,  I  have  determined  to  trust  him  !  Listen,  boy, 
and  tell  me  if  I  am  wrong  ;  you  have  a  quick  wit,  like  some 
others  of  your  family,  and  may  suggest  something  advan- 
tageous." The  gratified  midshipman  swelled  with  the  con- 
scious pleasure  of  possessing  his  commander's  confidence, 
and  followed  to  the  taffrail,  over  which  Barnstable  leaned, 
while  he  delivered  the  remainder  of  his  communication.  "  I 
have  gathered  from  the  'long- shore-men  who  have  come  off 
this  evening,  to  stare  at  the  vessel  which  the  rebels  have 
been  able  to  build,  that  a  party  of  seamen  and  marines  have 
been  captured  in  an  old  ruin  near  the  Abbey  of  St.  Ruth, 
this  very  day. ' ' 

'Tis  Mr.  Griffith  !  "  exclaimed  the  boy. 
"  Ay  !  the  wit  of  your  cousin  Katherine  was  not  necessary 
to  discover  that.  Now,  I  have  proposed  to  this  gentleman 
with  the  Savannah  face,  that  he  should  go  into  the  Abbey, 
and  negotiate  an  exchange.  I  will  give  him  for  Griffith, 
and  the  crew  of  the  Alacrity  for  Manual's  command  and 
the  Tigers. ' ' 

*'  The  Tigers  !  "  cried  the  lad,  with  emotion  ;  "  have  they 
got  my  Tigers,  too  !  would  to  God  that  Mr.  Griffith  had 
permitted  me  to  land  ! ' ' 

''It  was  no  boy's  work  they  were  about,  and  room  was 
scarcer  in  their  boat  than  live  lumber.  But  this  Mr.  Dillon 
has  accepted  my  proposition,  and  has  pledged  himself  that 
Griffith  shall  return  within  an  hour  after  he  is  permitted  to 
enter  the  Abbey :  will  he  redeem  his  honor  from  the 
pledge?" 


Ube  pilot 


243 


He  may,"  said  Merry,  musing  a  moment;  **  for  I  be- 
lieve he  thinks  the  presence  of  Mr.  Griffith,  under  the  same 
roof  with  Miss  Howard,  a  thing  to  be  prevented,  if  possi- 
ble ;  he  may  be  true  in  this  instance,  though  he  has  a  hol- 
low look." 

"He  has  bad-looking  light-houses,  I  will  own,"  said 
Barnstable  ;  * '  and  yet  he  is  a  gentleman,  and  promises  fair  ; 
't  is  unmanly  to  suspect  him  in  such  a  matter,  and  I  will 
have  faith  !  Now  listen,  sir.  The  absence  of  older  heads 
must  throw  great  responsibility  on  your  young  shoulders  ; 
watch  that  battery  as  closely  as  if  you  were  at  the  mast- 
head of  your  frigate,  on  the  lookout  for  an  enemy  ;  the 
instant  you  see  lights  moving  in  it,  cut,  and  run  into  the 
offing ;  you  will  find  me  somewhere  under  the  cliffs,  and 
you  will  stand  off  and  on,  keeping  the  Abbey  in  sight,  until 
you  fall  in  with  us." 

Merry  gave  an  attentive  ear  to  these  and  divers  other 
solemn  injunctions  that  he  received  from  his  commander, 
who,  having  sent  the  officer  next  to  himself  in  authority  in 
charge  of  the  prize  (third  in  command  being  included  in 
the  list  of  the  wounded),  was  compelled  to  intrust  his 
beloved  schooner  to  the  vigilance  of  the  lad  whose  years  gave 
no  promise  of  the  experience  and  skill  that  he  actually 
possessed. 

When  his  admonitory  instructions  were  ended,  Barnsta- 
ble stepped  again  to  the  opening  in  the  cabin  hood,  and  for 
a  single  moment  before  he  spoke,  once  more  examined  the 
countenance  of  his  prisoner,  with  a  keen  eye.  Dillon  had 
removed  his  hands  from  before  his  sallow  features  ;  and,  as 
if  conscious  of  the  scrutiny  his  looks  were  to  undergo,  had 
concentrated  the  whole  expression  of  his  forbidding  aspect 
in  a  settled  gaze  of  hopeless  submission  to  his  fate.  At 
least,  so  thought  his  captor,  and  the  idea  touched  some  of 
the  finer  feelings  in  the  bosom  of  the  generous  young  sea- 
man. Discarding,  instantly,  every  suspicion  of  his  pris- 
oner's honor,  as  alike  unworthy  of  them  both,  Barnstable 
summoned  him,  in  a  cheerful  voice,  to  the  boat.  There 
was  a  flashing  of  the  features  of  Dillon,  at  this  call,  which 
gave  an  indefinable  expression  to  his  countenance,  that  again 


244 


Zbc  mot 


startled  the  sailor ;  but  it  was  so  very  transient,  and  could 
so  easily  be  mistaken  for  a  smile  of  pleasure  at  his  promised 
liberation,  that  the  doubts  it  engendered  passed  away  almost 
as  speedily  as  the  equivocal  expression  itself.  Barnstable 
was  in  the  act  of  following  his  companion  into  the  boat, 
when  he  felt  himself  detained  by  a  slight  hold  of  his  arm. 

' '  What  would  you  have  ?  "  he  asked  of  the  midshipman, 
who  had  given  him  the  signal. 

*'  Do  not  trust  too  much  to  that  Dillon,  sir,"  returned  the 
anxious  boy,  in  a  whisper  ;  "if  you  had  seen  his  face,  as  I 
did,  when  the  binnacle  light  fell  upon  it,  as  he  came  up  the 
cabin  ladder,  you  would  put  no  faith  in  him." 

I  should  have  seen  no  beauty,"  said  the  generous  lieu- 
^ tenant,  laughing  ;  "  but,  there  is  long  Tom,  as  hard-featured 
a  youth  of  two  score  and  ten  as  ever  washed  in  brine,  who 
has  a  heart  as  big,  ay,  bigger  than  that  of  a  kraken.  A 
bright  watch  to  you,  boy,  and  remember  a  keen  eye  on  the 
battery."  Ashe  was  yet  speaking,  Barnstable  crossed  the 
gunwale  of  his  little  vessel,  and  it  was  not  until  he  was 
seated  by  the  side  of  his  prisoner,  that  he  continued,  aloud, 
— Cast  the  stops  off  your  sails,  Mr.  Merry,  and  see  all 
clear  to  make  a  run  of  everything  ;  recollect,  you  are  short- 
handed,  sir.  God  bless  ye  !  and  d'ye  hear?  if  there  is  a  man 
among  you  who  shuts  more  than  one  eye  at  a  time,  I  '11 
make  him,  when  I  get  back,  open  both  wider  than  if  Tom 
Coffin's  friend,  the  Flying  Dutchman,  was  booming  down 
upon  him.  God  bless  ye.  Merry,  my  boy ;  give  'em  the 
square-sail,  if  this  breeze  off-shore  holds  on  till  morning : 
shove  off." 

As  Barnstable  gave  the  last  order,  he  fell  back  on  his  seat, 
and,  drawing  back  his  boat-cloak  around  him,  maintained  a 
profound  silence,  until  they  had  passed  the  two  small  head- 
lands that  formed  the  mouth  of  the  harbor.  The  men 
pulled,  with  mufQed  oars,  their  long,  vigorous  strokes,  and 
the  boat  glided  with  amazing  rapidity  past  the  objects  that 
could  be  yet  indistinctly  seen  along  the  dim  shore.  When, 
however,  they  had  gained  the  open  ocean,  and  the  direction 
of  their  little  bark  was  changed  to  one  that  led  them  in  a 
line  with  the  coast,  and  within  the  shadows  of  the  cliffs,  the 


Ubc  mot 


245 


coxswain,  deeming  that  the  silence  was  no  longer  necessary 
to  their  safety,  ventured  to  break  it,  as  follows  : — 

square-sail  is  a  good  sail  to  carry  on  a  craft,  dead^ 
afore  it,  and  in  a  heavy  sea  ;  but  if  fifty  years  can  teach  a 
man  to  know  the  weather,  it 's  my  judgment  that  should  the 
Ariel  break  ground  after  the  night  turns  at  eight  bells,  she  '11 
need  her  mainsail  to  hold  her  up  to  her  course." 

The  lieutenant  started  at  this  sudden  interruption,  and 
casting  his  cloak  from  his  shoulders,  he  looked  abroad  on 
the  waters,  as  if  seeking  those  portentous  omens  which  dis- 
turbed the  imagination  of  his  cockswain. 

''How  now,  Tom,"  he  said,  sharply,  "have  ye  turned 
croaker  in  your  old  age  ?  what  see  you,  to  cause  such  an  old 
woman's  ditty  ?  " 

"  'T  is  no  song  of  an  old  woman, ' '  returned  the  cockswain,^" 
with  solemn  earnestness,  *  *  but  the  warning  of  an  old  man  ; 
and  one  who  has  spent  his  days  where  there  were  no  hills  to 
prevent  the  winds  of  heaven  from  blowing  on  him,  unless 
they  were  hills  of  salt  water  and  foam.  I  judge,  sir,  there  '11 
be  a  heavy  northeaster  setting  in  upon  us  afore  the  morning 
watch  is  called." 

Barnstable  knew  the  experience  of  his  old  messmate  too 
well,  not  to  feel  uneasiness  at  such  an  opinion,  delivered  in 
so  confident  a  manner ;  but  after  again  surveying  the  horizon, 
the  heavens,  and  the  ocean,  he  said,  with  a  continued  sever- 
ity of  manner, — 

"  Your  prophecy  is  idle,  this  time,  Master  Cofiin  ;  every- 
thing looks  like  a  dead  calm.  This  swell  is  vv^hat  is  left 
from  the  last  blow ;  the  mist  over-head  is  nothing  but  the 
nightly  fog,  and  you  can  see,  with  your  own  eyes,  that  it  is 
driving  seaward ;  even  this  land-breeze  is  nothing  but  the 
air  of  the  ground  mixing  with  that  of  the  ocean  ;  it  is  heavy 
with  dew  and  fog,  but  it 's  as  sluggish  as  a  Dutch  galliot.'* 

"Ay,  sir,  it  is  damp,  and  there  is  little  of  it,"  rejoined <^ 
Tom  ;  *  *  but  as  it  comes  only  from  the  shore,  so  it  never  goes 
far  on  the  water.  It  is  hard  to  learn  the  true  signs  of  the 
weather,  Captain  Barnstable,  and  none  get  to  know  them 
well,  but  such  as  study  little  else,  or  feel  but  little  else. 
There  is  only  One  who  can  see  the  winds  of  heaven,  or  who 


246 


XTbe  pilot 


can  tell  when  a  hurricane  is  to  begin,  or  where  it  will  end. 
Still,  a  man  isn't  like  a  whale  or  a  porpoise,  that  takes  the 
air  in  his  nostrils,  but  never  knows  whether  it  is  a  south- 
easter or  a  northwester  that  he  feeds  upon.  Look  broad-off 
to  leeward,  sir ;  see  the  streak  of  clear  sky  shining  under 
the  mists  ;  take  an  old  seafaring  man's  word  for  it,  Captain 
Barnstable,  that  whenever  the  light  shines  out  of  the  heav- 
ens in  that  fashion,  'tis  never  done  for  nothing  ;  besides,  the 
sun  set  in  a  dark  bank  of  clouds,  and  the  little  moon  we 
had  was  dry  and  windy. ' ' 

Barnstable  listened  attentively,  and  with  increasing  con- 
cern, for  he  well  knew  that  his  cockswain  possessed  a  quick 
and  almost  unerring  judgment  of  the  weather,  notwithstand- 
ing the  confused  medley  of  superstitious  omens  and  signs 
with  which  it  was  blended  ;  but  again  throwing  himself 
back  in  his  boat,  he  muttered, — 

' '  Then  let  it  blow  ;  Griffith  is  worth  a  heavier  risk,  and  if 
the  battery  can't  be  cheated,  it  can  be  carried." 

Nothing  further  passed  on  the  state  of  the  weather.  Dil- 
lon had  not  ventured  a  single  remark  since  he  entered  the 
boat,  and  the  cockswain  had  the  discretion  to  understand 
that  his  officer  was  willing  to  be  left  to  his  own  thoughts. 
For  nearly  an  hour  they  pursued  their  way  with  diligence  ; 
the  sinewy  seamen,  who  wielded  the  oars,  urging  their  light 
boat  along  the  edge  of  the  surf  with  unabated  velocity, 
and  apparently  with  untired  exertions.  Occasionally,  Barn- 
stable would  cast  an  inquiring  glance  at  the  little  inlets  that 
they  passed,  or  would  note,  with  a  seaman's  eye,  the  small 
portions  of  sandy  beach  that  were  scattered  here  and  there 
along  the  rocky  boundaries  of  the  coast.  One,  in  particu- 
lar, a  deeper  inlet  than  common,  where  a  run  of  fresh  water 
was  heard  gurgling  as  it  met  the  tide,  he  pointed  out  to  his 
cockswain,  by  significant,  but  silent  gestures,  as  a  place 
to  be  especially  noted.  Tom,  who  understood  the  signal 
as  intended  for  his  own  eye  alone,  made  his  observations  on 
the  spot  with  equal  taciturnity,  but  with  all  the  minuteness 
that  would  distinguish  one  long  accustomed  to  find  his 
way,  whether  by  land  or  water,  by  landmarks,  and  the 
bearings  of  different  objects.    Soon  after  this  silent  commu- 


XTbe  pilot 


247 


mcation  between  the  lieutenant  and  his  cockswain,  the 
boat  was  suddenly  turned,  and  was  in  the  act  of  dashing 
upon  the  spit  of  sand  before  it,  when  Barnstable  checked  the 
movement  by  his  voice  : — 

"  Hold  water  !  "  he  said  ;  " 't  is  the  sound  of  oars  !  " 

The  seamen  held  their  boat  at  rest,  while  a  deep  attention 
was  given  to  the  noise  that  had  alarmed  the  ears  of  their 
commander. 

''See,  sir,"  said  the  cockswain,  pointing  towards  the 
eastern  horizon  ;  "  it  is  just  rising  into  the  streak  of  light  to 
seaward  of  us — now  it  settles  in  the  trough — ah  !  here  you 
have  it  again  ! ' ' 

**By  heavens!"  cried  Barnstable,  '*  'tis  a  man-of-war's 
stroke  it  pulls  ;  I  saw  the  oar-blades  as  they  fell !  and 
listen  to  the  sound  !  neither  your  fisherman  nor  your  smug- 
gler pulls  such  a  regular  oar. ' ' 

Tom  had  bowed  his  head  nearly  to  the  water,  in  the  act 
of  listening,  and  now  raising  himself,  he  spoke  with  confi- 
dence,— 

' '  That  is  the  Tiger ;  I  know  the  stroke  of  her  crew  as 
well  as  I  do  of  my  own.  Mr.  Merry  has  made  them  learn 
the  new-fashioned  jerk,  as  they  dip  their  blades,  and  they 
feather  with  such  a  roll  in  their  rullocks  !  I  could  swear 
to  the  stroke." 

"Hand  me  the  night-glass,"  said  his  commander  impa- 
tiently !  I  can  catch  them,  as  they  are  lifted  into  the  streak. 
You  are  right,  by  every  star  in  our  flag,  Tom  ! — but  there  is 
only  one  man  in  her  stern-sheets.  By  my  good  eyes,  I 
believe  it  is  that  accursed  Pilot,  sneaking  from  the  land, 
and  leaving  Grifiith  and  Manual  to  die  in  English  prisons. 
To  shore  with  you — beach  her  at  once  ! ' ' 

The  order  was  no  sooner  given  than  it  was  obeyed,  and 
in  less  than  two  minutes,  the  impatient  Barnstable,  Dillon, 
and  the  cockswain,  were  standing  together  on  the  sands. 

The  impression  he  had  received,  that  his  friends  were 
abandoned  to  their  fate  by  the  Pilot,  urged  the  generous 
young  seaman  to  hasten  the  departure  of  his  prisoner,  as  he 
was  fearful  every  moment  might  interpose  some  new  obstacle 
to  the  success  of  his  plans. 


248 


XTbe  pilot 


"Mr.  Dillon,"  he  said,  the  instant  they  were  landed,  "1 
exact  no  new  promise — your  honor  is  already  plighted — ' ' 

* '  If  oath3  can  make  it  stronger, ' '  interrupted  Dillon,  '  *  I 
will  take  them." 

"  Oaths  cannot — the  honor  of  a  gentleman  is,  at  all  times, 
enough.  I  shall  send  my  cockswain  with  you  to  the  Abbey, 
and  you  will  either  return  with  him,  in  person,  within  two 
hours,  or  give  Mr.  Griffith  and  Captain  Manual  to  his 
guidance.  Proceed,  sir,  you  are  conditionally  free  ;  there  is 
an  easy  opening  by  which  to  ascend  to  the  cliffs. ' ' 

Dillon  once  more  thanked  his  generous  captor,  and  then 
proceeded  to  force  his  way  up  the  rough  eminence. 

''Follow,  and  obey  his  instructions,"  said  Barnstable  to 
his  cockswain,  aloud, 
r;^  Tom,  long  accustomed  to  implicit  obedience,  handled  his 
"  harpoon,  and  was  quietly  following  in  the  footsteps  of  his 
new  leader,  when  he  felt  the  hand  of  the  lieutenant  on  his 
shoulder. 

' '  You  saw  where  the  brook  emptied  over  the  hillock  of 
sand  ? ' '  said  Barnstable,  in  an  undertone. 
Tom  nodded  assent. 

''  You  will  find  us  there  riding  without  the  surf — 't  will 
not  do  to  trust  too  much  to  an  enemy." 

The  cockswain  made  a  gesture  of  great  significance  with 
his  weapon,  that  was  intended  to  indicate  the  danger  their 
prisoner  would  incur,  should  he  prove  false ;  when,  apply- 
ing the  wooden  end  of  the  harpoon  to  the  rocks,  he  ascended 
the  ravine  at  a  rate  that  soon  brought  him  to  the  side  of  his 
Ciompanion. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


"  Ay,  marry,  let  us  have  him  to  sit  under ; 
He 's  like  to  be  a  cold  soldier." 

Henry  IV, 

BARNSTABLE  lingered  on  the  sands  for  a  few  min- 
utes, until  the  footsteps  of  Dillon  and  the  cockswain 
were  no  longer  audible,  when  he  ordered  his  men 
to  launch  their  boat  once  more  into  the  surf. 
While  the  seamen  pulled  leisurely  towards  the  place  he  had 
designated  as  the  point  where  he  would  await  the  return  of 
Tom,  the  lieutenant  first  began  to  entertain  serious  appre- 
hensions concerning  the  good  faith  of  his  prisoner.  Now 
that  Dillon  was  beyond  his  control,  his  imagination  pre- 
sented, in  very  vivid  colors,  several  little  circumstances  in 
the  other's  conduct,  which  might  readily  excuse  some  doubts 
of  his  good  faith  ;  and,  by  the  time  they  had  reached  the 
place  of  rendezvous,  and  had  cast  a  light  grapnel  into  the 
sea,  his  fears  had  rendered  him  excessively  uncomfortable, 
lycaving  the  lieutenant  to  his  reflections  on  this  unpleasant 
subject,  we  shall  follow  Dillon  and  his  fearless  and  unsus- 
pecting companion  in  their  progress  towards  St.  Ruth. 

The  mists  to  which  Tom  had  alluded  in  his  discussion 
with  his  commander  on  the  state  of  the  weather,  appeared 
to  be  settling  nearer  to  the  earth,  and  assuming  more 
decidedly  the  appearance  of  a  fog,  hanging  above  them  in 
sluggish  volumes,  but  little  agitated  by  the  air.  The  con- 
sequent obscurity  added  deeply  to  the  gloom  of  the  night, 
and  it  would  have  been  difficult  for  one  less  acquainted  than 
Dillon  with  the  surrounding  localities,  to  find  the  path 
which  led  to  the  dwelling  of  Colonel  Howard.   After  some 

849 


xrbe  pilot 


Httle  search,  this  desirable  object  was  effected ;  and  the 
civilian  led  the  way,  with  rapid  strides,  towards  the  Abbey. 

Ay,  ay  !  "  said  Tom,  who  followed  his  steps,  and  equalled 
his  paces,  without  any  apparent  effort,  *  *  you  shore  people 
have  an  easy  way  to  find  your  course  and  distance,  when 
you  get  into  the  track.  I  was  once  left  by  the  craft  I  be- 
longed to,  in  Boston,  to  find  my  way  to  Plymouth,  which  is 
a  matter  of  fifteen  leagues,  or  thereaway  ;  and  so,  finding 
nothing  was  bound  up  the  bay,  after  lying-by  for  a  week,  I 
concluded  to  haul  aboard  my  land-tacks.  I  spent  the  better 
part  of  another  week  in  a  search  for  some  hooker,  on  board 
of  which  I  might  work  my  passage  across  the  country,  for 
money  was  as  scarce  then  with  old  Tom  Coffin  as  it  is  now, 
and  is  likely  to  be,  unless  the  fisheries  get  a  good  luff  soon  ; 
but  it  seems  that  nothing  but  your  horse-flesh,  and  horned 
cattle,  and  jackasses,  are  privileged  to  do  the  pulling  and 
hauling  in  yoirr  shore-hookers  ;  and  I  was  forced  to  pay  a 
week's  wages  for  a  berth,  besides  keeping  a  banyan  on  a 
mouthful  of  bread  and  cheese,  from  the  time  we  hove-up 
in  Boston,  till  we  came-to  in  Plymouth  town." 

' '  It  was  certainly  an  unreasonable  exaction  on  the  part  of 
the  wagoners,  from  a  man  in  your  situation,"  said  Dillon,  in 
a  friendly,  soothing  tone  of  voice,  that  denoted  a  willing- 
ness to  pursue  the  conversation. 

'*My  situation  was  that  of  a  cabin  passenger,"  returned 
the  cockswain  for  there  was  but  one  hand  forward,  beside 
the  cattle  I  mentioned — that  was  he  who  steered — and  an 
easy  berth  he  had  of  it ;  for  there  his  course  lay  atween 
walls  of  stone,  and  fences  :  and,  as  for  his  reckoning,  why, 
they  had  stuck  up  bits  of  stone  on  an  end,  with  his  day's 
work  footed  up,  ready  to  his  hand,  every  half  league  or  so. 
Besides,  the  landmarks  were  so  plentj',  that  a  man  with 
half  an  eye  might  steer  her,  and  no  fear  of  getting  to 
leeward. ' ' 

"You  must  have  found  yourself  as  it  were  in  a  new 
world,"  observed  Dillon. 

"Why,  to  me  it  was  pretty  much  the  same  as  if  I  had 
been  set  afloat  in  a  strange  country,  though  I  may  be  said  to 
be  a  native  of  those  parts,  being  bom  on  the  coast.    I  had 


Ube  pilot 


often  heard  shore-men  say,  that  there  was  as  much  arth  as 
water  in  the  world,  which  I  always  set  down  as  a  rank  lie, 
for  I 've  sailed  with  a  flowing  sheet  months  an-end  without 
falling  in  with  as  much  land  or  rock  as  would  answer  a  gull 
to  lay  its  eggs  on  ;  but  I  will  own,  that  atween  Boston  and 
Plymouth,  we  were  out  of  sight  of  water  for  as  much  as 
two  full  watches  ! ' ' 

Dillon  pursued  this  interesting  subject  with  great  dili- 
gence ;  and  by  the  time  they  reached  the  wall,  which  in- 
closed the  large  paddock  that  surrounded  the  Abbey,  the 
cockswain  was  deeply  involved  in  a  discussion  of  the  com- 
parative magnitude  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean  and  the  continent 
of  America. 

Avoiding  the  principal  entrance  to  the  building,  through 
the  great  gates  which  communicated  with  the  court  in  front, 
Dillon  followed  the  windings  of  the  wall  until  it  led  them  to 
a  wicket,  which  he  knew  was  seldom  closed  for  the  night 
until  the  hour  for  general  rest  had  arrived.  Their  wa}*- 
now  lay  in  the  rear  of  the  principal  edifice,  and  soon  con- 
ducted them  to  the  confused  pile  which  contained  the  offices. 
The  cockswain  followed  his  companion  with  a  confiding  reli- 
ance on  his  knowledge  and  good  faith,  that  was  somewhat 
increased  by  the  freedom  of  communication  that  had  been 
maintained  during  their  walk  from  the  cliffs.  He  did  not 
perceive  anything  extraordinary  in  the  other's  stopping  at 
the  room  which  had  been  provided  as  a  sort  of  barracks  for 
the  soldiers  of  Captain  BorroughclifiFe.  A  conference  which 
took  place  between  Dillon  and  the  sergeant  was  soon  ended, 
when  the  former  beckoned  to  the  cockswain  to  follow,  and, 
taking  a  circuit  round  the  whole  of  the  offices,  they  entered 
the  Abbey  together,  by  the  door  through  which  the  ladies 
had  issued,  when  in  quest  of  the  three  prisoners,  as  has  been 
already  related.  After  a  turn  or  two  among  the  narrow 
passages  of  that  part  of  the  edifice,  Tom,  whose  faith  in  the 
facilities  of  land  navigation  began  to  be  a  little  shaken, 
found  himself  following  his  guide  through  a  long  dark 
gallery,  that  was  terminated  at  the  end  toward  which  they 
were  approaching,  by  a  half-open  door,  that  admitted  a 
glimpse  into  a  well-lighted  and  comfortable  apartment.  To 


«52 


XTbe  pilot 


this  door  Dillon  hastily  advanced,  and,  throwing  it  open, 
the  cockswain  enjoyed  a  full  view  of  the  very  scene  that  we 
described,  in  introducing  Colonel  Howard  to  the  acquaint- 
ance of  the  reader,  and  under  circumstances  of  great  simili- 
tude. The  cheerful  fire  of  coal,  the  strong  and  glaring 
light,  the  tables  of  polished  mahogany,  and  the  blushing 
fluids,  were  still  the  same  in  appearance,  while  the  only 
perceptible  change  was  in  the  number  of  those  who  partook 
of  the  cheer.  The  master  of  the  mansion,  and  Borrough- 
cliffe,  were  seated  opposite  to  each  other,  employed  in  dis- 
cussing the  events  of  the  day,  and  diligently  pushing  to  and 
fro  the  glittering  vessel,  that  contained  a  portion  of  the 
generous  liquor  they  both  loved  so  well ;  a  task  which  each 
moment  rendered  lighter. 

"  If  Kit  would  but  return,"  exclaimed  the  veteran,  whose 
back  was  to  the  opening  door,  *  *  bringing  with  him  his  hon- 
est brows  encircled,  as  they  will  be,  or  ought  to  be,  with 
laurel,  I  should  be  the  happiest  old  fool,  Borroughclifie,  in 
his  majesty's  realm  of  Great  Britain  !  " 

The  captain,  who  felt  the  necessity  for  the  unnatural 
restraint  he  had  imposed  on  his  thirst  to  be  removed  by  the 
capture  of  his  enemies,  pointed  towards  the  door  with  one 
hand,  while  he  grasped  the  sparkling  reservoir  of  the  *  *  south- 
side  "  with  the  other,  and  answered, — 

"  lyO  !  the  Cacique  himself !  his  brow  inviting  the  diadem 
— ha  !  who  have  we  in  his  highness'  train  ?  By  the  Lord, 
Sir  Cacique,  if  you  travel  with  a  body-guard  of  such  grena- 
diers, old  Frederic  of  Prussia  himself  will  have  occasion  to 
envy  you  the  corps  !  a  clear  six-footer  in  nature's  stockings  ! 
and  the  arms  as  unique  as  the  armed  !  " 

The  colonel  did  not,  however,  attend  to  half  of  his  com- 
panion's exclamations,  but  turning,  he  beheld  the  individual 
he  had  so  much  desired,  and  received  him  with  a  delight 
proportioned  to  the  unexpectedness  of  the  pleasure.  For 
several  minutes,  Dillon  was  compelled  to  listen  to  the  rapid 
questions  of  his  venerable  relative,  to  all  of  which  he 
answered  with  a  prudent  reserve,  that  might,  in  some 
measure,  have  been  governed  by  the  presence  of  the  cock- 
swain.   Tom  stood  with  infinite  composure,  leaning  on  his 


253 


harpoon,  and  surveying,  with  a  countenance  where  wonder 
was  singularly  blended  with  contempt,  the  furniture  and 
arrangements  of  an  apartment  that  was  far  more  splendid 
than  any  he  had  before  seen.  In  the  meantime,  Borrough- 
cliffe  entirely  disregarded  the  private  communications  that 
passed  between  his  host  and  Dillon,  which  gradually  became 
more  deeply  interesting,  and  finally  drew  them  to  a  distant 
corner  of  the  apartment,  but  taking  a  most  undue  advantage 
of  the  absence  of  the  gentleman,  who  had  so  lately  been  his 
boon  companion,  he  swallowed  one  potation  after  another, 
as  if  a  double  duty  had  devolved  on  him,  in  consequence  of 
the  desertion  of  the  veteran.  Whenever  his  eye  did  wander 
from  the  ruby  tints  of  his  glass,  it  was  to  survey  with  unre- 
pressed  admiration  the  inches  of  the  cockswain,  about  whose 
stature  and  frame  there  were  numberless  excellent  points  to 
attract  the  gaze  of  a  recruiting  officer.  From  this  double 
pleasure,  the  captain  was,  however,  at  last  summoned,  to 
participate  in  the  councils  of  his  friends. 

Dillon  was  spared  the  disagreeable  duty  of  repeating  the 
artful  tale  he  had  found  it  necessary  to  palm  on  the  colonel, 
by  the  ardor  of  the  veteran  himself,  who  executed  the  task 
in  a  manner  that  gave  to  the  treachery  of  his  kinsman  every 
appearance  of  a  justifiable  artifice,  and  of  unshaken  zeal  in 
the  cause  of  his  prince.  In  substance,  Tom  was  to  be  de- 
tained as  a  prisoner,  and  the  party  of  Barnstable  were  to  be 
entrapped,  and  of  course  to  share  a  similar  fate.  The  sunken 
eye  of  Dillon  cowered  before  the  steady  gaze  which  Borrough- 
clifie  fastened  on  him,  as  the  latter  listened  to  the  plaudits 
the  colonel  lavished  on  his  cousin's  ingenuity  ;  but  the  hesi- 
tation that  lingered  in  the  soldier's  manner  vanished  when  he 
turned  to  examine  their  unsuspecting  prisoner,  who  was  con- 
tinuing his  survey  of  the  apartment,  while  he  innocently  im- 
agined the  consultations  he  witnessed  were  merely  the  proper 
and  preparatory  steps  to  his  admission  into  the  presence  of 
Mr.  Griffith. 

"Drill,"  said  Borroughcliffe,  aloud,  advance,  and  receive 
your  orders. ' '  The  cockswain  turned  quickly  at  this  sudden 
mandate,  and,  for  the  first  time,  perceived  that  he  had  been 
followed  into  the  gallery  by  the  orderly  and  two  files  of  the 


254 


XTbe  pilot 


recruits,  armed.  "Take  this  man  to  the  guard-room,  and 
feed  him,  and  see  that  he  dies  not  of  thirst." 

There  was  nothing  alarming  in  this  order  ;  and  Tom  was 
following  the  soldiers,  in  obedience  to  a  gesture  from  their 
captain,  when  their  steps  were  arrested  in  the  gallery,  by  the 
cry  of  "Halt!" 

"On  recollection,  Drill,"  said  Borroughcliflfe,  in  a  tone  from 
which  all  dictatorial  sounds  were  banished,  * '  show  the  gentle- 
man into  my  own  room,  and  see  him  properly  supplied." 

The  orderly  gave  such  an  intimation  of  his  comprehend- 
ing the  meaning  of  his  officer,  as  the  latter  was  accustomed 
to  receive,  when  Borroughcliflfe  returned  to  his  bottle,  and 
the  cockswain  followed  his  guide,  with  an  alacrity  and  good 
will  that  were  not  a  little  increased  by  the  repeated  mention 
of  the  cheer  that  awaited  him. 

Luckily  for  the  impatience  of  Tom,  the  quarters  of  the 
captain  were  at  hand,  and  the  promised  entertainment  by  no 
means  slow  in  making  its  appearance.  The  former  was  an 
apartment  that  opened  from  a  lesser  gallery,  which  commu- 
nicated with  the  principal  passage  already  mentioned  ;  and 
the  latter  was  a  bountiful  but  ungarnished  supply  of  that 
staple  of  the  British  isles,  called  roast  beef;  of  which  the 
kitchen  of  Colonel  Howard  was  never  without  a  due  and 
loyal  provision.  The  sergeant,  who  certainly  understood 
one  of  the  signs  of  his  captain  to  imply  an  attack  on  the  cita- 
del of  the  cockswain's  brain,  mingled,  with  his  own  hands, 
a  potation  that  he  styled  a  rummer  of  grog,  and  which  he 
thought  would  have  felled  the  animal  itself  that  Tom  was  so 
diligently  masticating,  had  it  been  alive  and  in  its  vigor. 
■  Every  calculation  that  was  made  on  the  infirmity  of  the 
cockswain's  intellect,  under  the  stimulus  of  Jamaica,  was, 
however,  futile.  He  swallowed  glass  after  glass,  with  pro- 
digious relish,  but,  at  the  same  time,  with  immovable  steadi- 
ness ;  and  the  eyes  of  the  sergeant,  who  felt  it  incumbent  to 
do  honor  to  his  own  cheer,  were  already  glistening  in  his 
head,  when,  happily  for  the  credit  of  his  heart,  a  tap  at  the 
door  announced  the  presence  of  his  captain,  and  relieved  him 
from  the  impending  disgrace  of  being  drunk  blind  by  a 
recruit. 


Ubc  pilot 


255 


As  Borroughcliffe  entered  the  apartment,  he  commanded 
his  orderly  to  retire,  adding, — 

Mr.  Dillon  will  give  you  instructions,  which  you  are 
implicitly  to  obey." 

Drill,  who  had  sense  enough  remaining  to  apprehend  the 
displeasure  of  his  officer,  should  the  latter  discover  his  con- 
dition, quickened  his  departure,  and  the  cockswain  soon 
found  himself  alone  with  the  captain.  The  vigor  of  Tom's 
attacks  on  the  remnant  of  the  sirloin  was  now  much  abated, 
leaving  in  its  stead  that  placid  quiet  which  is  apt  to  linger 
about  the  palate  long  after  the  cravings  of  the  appetite  have 
been  appeased.  He  had  seated  himself  on  one  of  the  trunks 
of  Borroughcliffe,  utterly  disdaining  the  use  of  a  chair  ;  and, 
with  the  trencher  in  his  lap,  was  using  his  own  jackknife 
on  the  dilapidated  fragment  of  the  ox,  with  something  of 
that  nicety  with  which  the  female  ghoul  of  the  Arabian 
Tales  might  be  supposed  to  pick  her  rice  with  the  point  of 
her  bodkin.  The  captain  drew  a  seat  nigh  the  cockswain  ; 
and,  with  a  familiarity  and  kindness  infinitely  condescend- 
ing, when  the  difference  in  their  several  conditions  is  con- 
sidered, he  commenced  the  following  dialogue  : — 

'  *  I  hope  you  have  found  your  entertainment  to  your 
liking,  Mr.  — a — a —  I  must  own  my  ignorance  of  your 
name." 

*'Tom,"  said  the  cockswain,  keeping  his  eyes  roaming 
over  the  contents  of  the  trencher  ;  ' '  commonly  called  long 
Tom,  by  my  shipmates. " 

"  You  have  sailed  with  discreet  men,  and  able  navigators, 
it  will  seem,  as  they  understood  longitude  so  well,"  rejoined 
the  captain  ;  ' '  but  you  have  a  patronymic — I  would  say 
another  name  ?  ' ' 

"Coffin,"  returned  the  cockswain.  "  I 'm  called  Tom, 
when  there  is  any  hurry,  such  as  letting  go  the  halyards,  ot 
a  sheet  ;  long  Tom,  when  they  want  to  get  to  windward  of 
an  old  seaman,  by  fair  weather  ;  and  long  Tom  Coffin,  when 
they  wish  to  hail  me,  so  that  none  of  my  cousins  of  the  same 
name,  about  the  islands,  shall  answer ;  for  I  believe  the 
best  man  among  them  can't  measure  much  over  a  fathom, 
taking  him  from  his  headworks  to  his  heels." 


256 


Ube  pilot 


You  are  a  most  deserving  fellow,"  cried  BorroughclifiFe^ 
**  and  it  is  painful  to  think  to  what  a  fate  the  treachery  of 
Mr.  Dillon  has  consigned  you. ' ' 

The  suspicions  of  Tom,  if  he  ever  entertained  any,  were 
lulled  to  rest  too  effectually  by  the  kindness  he  had  received, 
to  be  awakened  by  this  equivocal  lament ;  he  therefore,  after 
renewing  his  intimacy  with  the  rummer,  contented  himself 
by  saying,  with  a  satisfied  simplicity, — 

"I  am  consigned  to  no  one,  carrying  no  cargo  but  this 
Mr.  Dillon,  who  is  to  give  me  Mr.  Griffith  in  exchange,  01 
go  back  to  the  Ariel  himself,  as  my  prisoner. ' ' 

"  Ah  !  my  good  friend,  I  fear  you  will  find,  when  the  time 
comes  to  make  this  exchange,  that  he  will  refuse  to  do 
either." 

"  But  I  '11  be  d  d  if  he  don't  do  one  of  them  !  my 

orders  are  to  see  it  done,  and  back  he  goes  ;  or  Mr.  Griffith, 
who  is  as  good  a  seaman,  for  his  years,  as  ever  trod  a  deck, 
slips  his  cable  from  this  here  anchorage." 

Borroughcliffe  affected  to  eye  his  companion  with  great 
commiseration  ;  an  exhibition  of  compassion  that  was,  how- 
ever, completely  lost  on  the  cockswain,  whose  nerves  were 
strung  to  their  happiest  tension  by  his  repeated  libations, 
while  his  wit  was,  if  anything,  quickened  by  the  same  cause, 
though  his  own  want  of  guile  rendered  him  slow  to  compre- 
hend its  existence  in  others.  Perceiving  it  necessary  to 
speak  plainly,  the  captain  renewed  the  attack  in  a  more 
direct  manner : — 

* '  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  you  will  not  be  permitted  to  return 
to  the  Ariel  ;  and  that  your  commander,  Mr.  Barnstable, 
will  be  a  prisoner  within  the  hour ;  and,  in  fact,  that  your 
schooner  will  be  taken  before  the  morning  breaks." 

''Who  '11  take  her?  "  asked  the  cockswain,  with  a  grim 
smile,  on  whose  feelings,  however,  this  combination  of 
threatened  calamities  was  beginning  to  make  some  impres- 
sion. 

' '  You  must  remember,  that  she  lies  immediately  under  the 
heavy  guns  of  a  battery  that  can  sink  her  in  a  few  minutes  ; 
an  express  has  already  been  sent  to  acquaint  the  commander 
of  the  work  with  the  Ariel's  true  character ;  and  as  the  wind 


XTbe  pilot 


257 


has  already  begun  to  blow  from  the  ocean,  her  escape  is  im- 
possible. ' ' 

The  truth,  together  with  its  portentous  consequences,  now 
began  to  glare  across  the  faculties  of  the  cockswain.  He  re- 
membered his  own  prognostics  on  the  weather,  and  the  help- 
less situation  of  the  schooner,  deprived  of  more  than  half  her 
crew,  and  left  to  the  keeping  of  a  boy,  while  her  commander 
himself  was  on  the  eve  of  captivity.  The  trencher  fell  from 
his  lap  to  the  floor,  his  head  sunk  on  his  knees,  his  face 
was  concealed  between  his  broad  palms,  and,  in  spite  of 
every  effort  the  old  seaman  could  make  to  conceal  his  emo- 
tion, he  fairly  groaned  aloud. 

For  a  moment,  the  better  feelings  of  Borroughcliffe  pre- 
vailed ;  and  he  paused  as  he  vdtnessed  this  exhibition  of 
suffering  in  one,  whose  head  was  already  sprinkled  with  the 
marks  of  time  ;  but  his  habits,  and  the  impressions  left  by 
many  years  passed  in  collecting  victims  for  the  wars,  soon  re- 
sumed their  ascendency,  and  the  recruiting  officer  diligently 
addressed  himself  to  an  improvement  of  his  advantage. 

' '  I  pity  from  my  heart  the  poor  lads  whom  artifice  or  mis- 
taken notions  of  duty  may  have  led  astray,  and  who  will 
thus  be  taken  in  arms  against  their  sovereign  ;  but  as  they 
are  found  in  the  very  island  of  Britain,  they  must  be  made 
examples  to  deter  others.  I  fear,  that  unless  they  can  make 
their  peace  with  government,  they  will  all  be  condemned  to 
death." 

lyCt  them  make  their  peace  with  God,  then  ;  your  gov- 
ernment can  do  but  little  to  clear  the  log-account  of  a  man 
whose  watch  is  up  for  this  world." 

* '  But,  by  making  their  peace  with  those  who  have  the 
power,  their  lives  may  be  spared, ' '  said  the  captain,  watch- 
ing, with  keen  eyes,  the  effect  his  words  produced  on  the 
cockswain. 

It  matters  but  little,  when  a  man  hears  the  messenger  /'  " 
pipe  his  hammock  down  for  the  last  time  ;  he  keeps  his 
watch  in  another  world,  though  he  goes  below  in  this.  But 
to  see  wood  and  iron,  that  has  been  put  together  after  such 
moulds  as  the  Ariel's  go  into  strange  hands,  is  a  blow  that 
a  man  may  remember  long  after  the  purser's  books  have 

17 


TTbe  pilot 


been  squared  against  his  name  forever  !  I  would  rather  that 
twenty  shot  should  strike  my  old  carcass,  than  one  should 
hull  the  schooner  that  did  n't  pass  out  above  her  water- 
line." 

Borroughcliffe  replied,  somewhat  carelessly,  * '  I  may  be 
mistaken,  after  all ;  and,  instead  of  putting  any  of  you  to 
death,  they  may  place  you  all  on  board  the  prison-ships, 
where  you  may  yet  have  a  merry  time  of  it  these  ten  or 
fifteen  years  to  come. ' ' 

''How's  that,  shipmate!"  cried  the  cockswain,  with  a 
start ;  *  *  a  prison-ship,  d'  ye  say  ?  you  may  tell  them  they 
can  save  the  expense  of  one  man's  rations  by  hanging  him, 
if  they  please,  and  that  is  old  Tom  Coffin." 

' '  There  is  no  answering  for  their  caprice  :  to-day  they  may 
order  a  dozen  of  you  to  be  shot  for  rebels  ;  to-morrow  they 
may  choose  to  consider  you  as  prisoners  of  war,  and  send  you 
to  the  hulks  for  a  dozen  years." 

>  ''Tell  them,  brother,  that  I 'm  a  rebel,  will  ye ?  and  ye 'U 
tell  'em  no  lie — one  that  has  fou't  them  since  Manly' s  time, 
in  Boston  Bay,  to  this  hour.  I  hope  the  boy  will  blow  her 
up  !  it  would  be  the  death  of  poor  Richard  Barnstable  to  see 
her  in  the  hands  of  the  Knglish  ! ' ' 

"  I  know  of  one  way,"  said  Borroughcliffe,  affecting  to 
muse,  "and  but  one,  that  will  certainly  avert  the  prison- 
ship  ;  for,  on  second  thoughts,  they  will  hardly  put  you  to 
death." 

"Name  it,  friend,"  said  the  cockswain,  rising  from  his 
seat  in  evident  perturbation,  "  and  if  it  lies  in  the  power  of 
man,  it  shall  be  done." 

"  Nay,"  said  the  captain,  dropping  his  hand  familiarly  on 
the  shoulder  of  the  other,  who  listened  with  the  most  eager 
attention,  " 't  is  easily  done,  and  no  dreadful  thing  in  itself, 
you  are  used  to  gunpowder,  and  know  its  smell  from  otto  of 
roses  !  " 

Ay,  ay,"  cried  the  impatient  old  seaman  ;  "I  have  had 
it  flashing  under  my  nose  by  the  hour  ;  what  then  ?  " 

"  Why,  then,  what  I  have  to  propose  will  be  nothing  to  a 
man  like  you — you  found  the  beef  wholesome,  and  the  grog 
mellow?'* 


Ube  pilot 


259 


**Ay,  ay,  all  well  enough;  but  what  is  that  to  an  old 
sailor?"  asked  the  cockswain,  unconsciously  grasping  the 
collar  of  Borroughcliffe's  coat,  in  his  agitation;  **what 
then?" 

The  captain  manifested  no  displeasure  at  this  unexpected 
familiarity,  but  smiled  with  suavity  as  he  unmasked  the  bat- 
tery, from  behind  which  he  had  hitherto  carried  on  his 
attacks. 

"  Why,  then,  you  have  only  to  serve  your  King  as  you 
have  before  served  the  Congress — and  let  me  be  the  man  to 
show  you  your  colors." 

The  cockswain  stared  at  the  speaker  intently,  but  it  was 
evident  he  did  not  clearly  comprehend  the  nature  of  the 
proposition,  and  the  captain  pursued  the  subject :  — 

' '  In  plain  English,  enlist  in  my  company,  my  fine  fellow, 
and  your  life  and  liberty  are  both  safe." 

Tom  did  not  laugh  aloud,  for  that  was  a  burst  of  feeling 
in  which  he  was  seldom  known  to  indulge  ;  but  every  feature 
of  his  weather-beaten  visage  contracted  into  an  expression 
of  bitter,  ironical  contempt.  Borroughclifife  felt  the  iron 
fingers,  that  still  grasped  his  collar,  gradually  tightening 
about  his  throat,  like  a  vice  ;  and,  as  the  arm  slowly  con- 
tracted, his  body  was  drawn,  by  a  power  that  it  was  in  vain 
to  resist,  close  to  that  of  the  cockswain,  who,  when  their 
faces  were  within  a  foot  of  each  other,  gave  vent  to  his 
emotions  in  words  :  — 

* '  A  messmate,  before  a  shipmate  ;  a  shipmate,  before  a  — 
stranger  ;  a  stranger,  before  a  dog — but  a  dog  before  a 
soldier  !" 

As  Tom  concluded,  his  nervous  arm  was  suddenly  extended  ^^  "^ 
to  the  utmost,  the  fingers  relinquishing  their  grasp  at  the 
same  time  ;  and,  when  Borroughclifife  recovered  his  dis- 
ordered faculties,  he  found  himself  in  a  distant  corner  of  the 
apartment,  prostrate  among  a  confused  pile  of  chairs,  tables, 
and  wearing  apparel.  In  endeavoring  to  rise  from  this 
humble  posture,  the  hand  of  the  captain  fell  upon  the  hilt 
of  his  sword,  which  had  been  included  in  the  confused  as- 
semblage of  articles  produced  by  his  overthrow. 

How  now,  scoundrel !  "  he  cried,  baring  the  glittering 


26o 


XTbe  pilot 


weapon,  and  springing  on  his  feet;  "you  must  be  taught 
your  distance,  I  perceive. '  * 
--^  The  cockswain  seized  the  harpoon  which  leaned  against 
/ the  wall,  and  dropped  its  barbed  extremity  within  a  foot  of 
the  breast  of  his  assailant,  with  an  expression  of  the  eye  that 
denoted  the  danger  of  a  nearer  approach.  The  captain, 
however,  wanted  not  for  courage,  and  stung  to  the  quick  by 
the  insult  he  had  received,  he  made  a  desperate  parry,  and 
attempted  to  pass  within  the  point  of  the  novel  weapon  of 
his  adversary.  The  slight  shock  was  followed  by  a  sweep- 
ing whirl  of  the  harpoon,  and  Borroughcliffe  found  himself 
without  arms,  completely  at  the  mercy  of  his  foe.  The 
bloody  intentions  of  Tom  vanished  with  his  success ;  for, 
laying  aside  his  weapon,  he  advanced  upon  his  antagonist, 
and  seized  him  with  an  open  palm.  One  more  struggle,  in 
which  the  captain  discovered  his  incompetency  to  make  any 
defence  against  the  strength  of  a  man  who  managed  him  as 
if  he  had  been  a  child,  decided  the  matter.  When  the  cap- 
tain was  passive  in  the  hands  of  his  foe,  the  cockswain  pro- 
duced sundry  pieces  of  sennit,  marline,  and  ratlin-stuff,  from 
his  pockets,  which  appeared  to  contain  as  great  a  variety  of 
small  cordage  as  a  boatswain's  store-room,  and  proceeded  to 
lash  the  arms  of  the  conquered  soldier  to  the  posts  of  his 
bed,  with  a  coolness  that  had  not  been  disturbed  since  the 
commencement  of  hostilities,  a  silence  that  seemed  inflexible, 
and  a  dexterity  that  none  but  a  seaman  could  equal.  When 
this  part  of  his  plan  was  executed,  Tom  paused  a  moment, 
and  gazed  around  him  as  if  in  quest  of  something.  The 
naked  sword  caught  his  eye,  and,  with  this  weapon  in  his 
hand,  he  deliberately  approached  the  captive,  whose  alarm 
prevented  his  observing,  that  the  cockswain  had  snapped  the 
blade  asunder  from  the  handle,  and  that  he  had  already 
encircled  the  latter  with  marline. 

''For  God's  sake,"  exclaimed  Borroughcliffe,  "murder 
me  not  in  cold  blood  !  ' ' 

.  The  silver  hilt  entered  his  mouth  as  the  words  issued  from 

/ft,  and  the  captain  found,  while  the  line  was  passed  and  re- 
passed, in  repeated  involutions  across  the  back  of  his  neck, 
that  he  was  in  a  condition  to  which  he  often  subjected  his 


XTbe  pilot 


36k 


own  men,  when  unruly,  and  which  is  universally  called 
being  ' '  gagged. ' '  The  cockswain  now  appeared  to  think 
himself  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  a  conquerer ;  for, 
taking  the  light  in  his  hand,  he  commenced  a  scrutiny  into 
the  nature  and  quality  of  the  worldly  effects  that  lay  at  his 
mercy.  Sundry  articles,  that  belonged  to  the  equipments  of 
a  soldier,  were  examined,  and  cast  aside  with  great  con- 
tempt, and  divers  garments  of  plainer  exterior  were  rejected 
as  unsuited  to  the  frame  of  the  victor.  He,  however,  soon 
encountered  two  articles,  of  a  metal  that  is  universally  un- 
derstood. But  uncertainty  as  to  their  use  appeared  greatly  to 
embarrass  him.  The  circular  prongs  of  these  curiosities 
were  applied  to  either  hand,  to  the  wrists,  and  even  to  the 
nose,  and  the  little  wheels,  at  their  opposite  extremity  were 
turned  and  examined  with  as  much  curiosity  and  care,  as  a 
savage  would  expend  on  a  watch,  until  the  idea  seemed  to 
cross  the  mind  of  the  honest  seaman,  that  they  formed  part 
of  the  useless  trappings  of  a  military  man  ;  and  he  cast  them 
aside  also,  as  utterly  worthless.  Borroughcliffe,  who  watched 
every  movement  of  his  conquerer,  with  a  good-humor  that 
would  have  restored  perfect  harmony  between  them,  could 
he  but  have  expressed  half  what  he  felt,  witnessed  the  safetj'- 
of  a  favorite  pair  of  spurs  with  much  pleasure,  though 
nearly  suffocated  by  the  mirth  that  was  unnaturally  re- 
pressed. At  length,  the  cockswain  found  a  pair  of  hand^ 
somely  mounted  pistols,  a  sort  of  weapon  with  which  he 
seemed  quite  familiar.  They  were  loaded,  and  the  knowl- 
edge of  that  fact  appeared  to  remind  Tom  of  the  necessity 
of  departing,  by  bringing  to  his  recollection  the  danger  of 
his  commander  and  of  the  Ariel.  He  thrust  the  weapons 
into  the  canvas  belt  that  encircled  his  body,  and,  grasping 
his  harpoon,  approached  the  bed,  where  Borroughcliffe  was 
seated  in  duresse. 

"  Harkye,  friend,"  said  the  cockswain,  ''may  the  Lord.;.: 
forgive  you,  as  I  do,  for  wishing  to  make  a  soldier  of  a  sea- 
faring man,  and  one  who  has  followed  the  waters  since  he 
was  an  hour  old,  and  one  who  hopes  to  die  off  soundings, 
and  to  be  buried  in  brine.  I  wish  you  no  harm,  friend,  but 
you  '11  have  to  keep  a  stopper  on  your  conversation  till  such 


262 


Ube  pilot 


time  as  some  of  your  messmates  call  in  this  way,  which  1 
hope  will  be  as  soon  after  I  get  an  offing  as  may  be.'* 

With  these  amicable  wishes,  the  cockswain  departed, 
leaving  Borroughcliffe  the  light,  and  the  undisturbed  pos- 
session of  his  apartment,  though  not  in  the  most  easy  or  the 
most  enviable  situation  imaginable.  The  captain  heard  the 
bolt  of  his  lock  turn,  and  the  key  rattle  as  the  cockswain 
withdrew  it  from  the  door — two  precautionary  steps  which 
clearly  indicated  that  the  vanquisher  deemed  it  prudent  to 
secure  his  retreat  by  insuring  the  detention  of  the  van- 
quished, for  at  least  a  time. 


^  CHAPTER  XXIII. 

**  Whilst  Vengeance,  in  the  lurid  air, 
Lifts  her  red  arm,  exposed  and  bare — 
Who,  Fear,  this  ghastly  train  can  see, 
And  look  not  madly  wild,  like  thee  !  " 

COLI^INS. 

IT  is  certain  that  Tom  Cofl&n  had  devised  no  settled  plan 
of  operations,  when  he  issued  from  the  apartment  of 
BorroughclifFe,  if  we  except  a  most  resolute  determina- 
tion to  make  the  best  of  his  wa)^  to  the  Ariel,  and  to 
share  her  fate,  let  it  be  either  to  sink  or  swim.  But  this 
was  a  resolution  much  easier  formed  by  the  honest  seaman 
than  executed,  in  his  present  situation.  He  would  have 
found  it  less  difficult  to  extricate  a  vessel  from  the  dangerous 
shoals  of  the  "Devil's  Grip,"  than  to  thread  the  mazes 
of  the  labyrinth  of  passages,  galleries,  and  apartments,  in 
which  he  found  himself  involved.  He  remembered,  as  he 
expressed  it  to  himself,  in  a  low  soliloquy,  * '  to  have  run 
into  a  narrow  passage  from  the  main  channel,  but  whether  he 
had  sheered  to  the  starboard  or  larboard  hand, ' '  w^as  a  ma- 
terial fact  that  had  entirely  escaped  his  memory.  Tom  was 
in  that  part  of  the  building  that  Colonel  Howard  had  desig- 
nated as  the  cloisters,  and  in  which,  luckily  for  him,  he 
was  but  Httle  liable  to  encounter  any  foe,  the  room  occupied 
by  BorroughclifFe  being  the  only  one  in  the  entire  wing  that 
was  not  exclusively  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  ladies. 
The  circumstance  of  the  soldier's  being  permitted  to  invade 
this  sanctuary  was  owing  to  the  necessity,  on  the  part  of 
Colonel  Howard,  of  placing  either  Griffith,  Manual,  or  the 
recruiting  officer,  in  the  vicinity  of  his  wards,  or  of  subjecting 
his  prisoners  to  a  treatment  that  the  veteran  would  have 

263 


264 


xrbe  pilot 


thought  unworthy  of  his  name  and  character.  This  recent 
change  in  the  quarters  of  Borroughcliffe  operated  doubly 
to  the  advantage  of  Tom,  by  lessening  the  chance  of  the 
speedy  release  of  his  uneasy  captive,  as  well  as  by  diminish* 
ing  his  own  danger.  Of  the  former  circumstance  he  was, 
however,  not  aware  :  and  the  consideration  of  the  latter  was 
a  sort  of  reflection  to  which  the  cockswain  was  in  no  degree 
addicted. 

Following,  necessarily,  the  line  of  the  wall,  he  soon 
emerged  from  the  dark  and  narrow  passage  in  which  he  had 
first  found  himself,  and  entered  the  principal  gallery,  that 
communicated  with  all  the  lower  apartments  of  that  wing, 
as  well  as  with  the  main  body  of  the  edifice.  An  open  door, 
through  which  a  strong  light  was  glaring,  at  a  distant  end 
of  this  gallery,  instantly  caught  his  eye,  and  the  old  seaman 
had  not  advanced  many  steps  towards  it,  before  he  discov- 
ered that  he  was  approaching  the  very  room  which  had  so 
much  excited  his  curiosity,  and  by  the  identical  passage 
through  which  he  had  entered  the  Abbey.  To  turn,  and 
retrace  his  steps,  was  the  most  obvious  course  for  any  man 
to  take  who  felt  anxious  to  escape  ;  but  the  sounds  of  high 
conviviality,  bursting  from  the  cheerful  apartment,  among 
which  the  cockswain  thought  he  distinguished  the  name 
of  Grifiith,  determined  Tom  to  advance  and  reconnoitre 
the  scene  more  closely.  The  reader  will  anticipate  that 
when  he  paused  in  the  shadow,  the  doubting  old  seaman 
stood  once  more  near  the  threshold  which  he  had  so  lately 
crossed,  when  conducted  to  the  room  of  Borroughcliffe. 
The  seat  of  that  gentleman  was  now  occupied  by  Dillon, 
and  Colonel  Howard  had  resumed  his  wonted  station  at  the 
foot  of  the  table.  The  noise  was  chiefly  made  by  the  latter, 
who  had  evidently  been  enjoying  a  more  minute  relation  of 
the  means  by  which  his  kinsman  had  entrapped  his  unwary 
enemy. 

"A  noble  ruse  !  "  cried  the  veteran,  as  Tom  assumed  his 
post,  in  ambush  a  most  noble  and  ingenious  ruse,  and 
such  a  one  as  would  have  bafQed  Caesar  !  He  must  have  been 
a  cunning  dog,  that  Caesar ;  but  I  do  think.  Kit,  you  would 
have  been  too  much  for  him  ;  hang  me,  if  I  don't  think  you 


XTbe  pilot 


265 


would  have  puzzled  Wolfe  himself,  had  you  held  Quebec, 
instead  of  Montcalm  !  Ah,  boy,  we  want  you  in  the  colon- 
ies, with  the  ermine  over  your  shoulders  ;  such  men  as  you, 
cousin  Christopher,  are  sadly,  sadly  wanted  there  to  defend 
his  majesty's  rights." 

' '  Indeed,  dear  sir,  your  partiality  gives  me  credit  for  qual- 
ities I  do  not  possess,"  said  Dillon,  dropping  his  eyes,  per- 
haps with  a  feeling  of  conscious  unworthiness,  but  with  an 
air  of  much  humility  ;  "  the  little  justifiable  artifice — " 

*'Ay!  there  lies  the  beauty  of  the  transaction,"  inter- 
rupted the  colonel,  shoving  the  bottle  from  him,  with  the 
free,  open  air  of  a  man  who  never  harbored  disguise  ;  ' '  you 
told  no  lie  ;  no  mean  deception,  that  any  dog,  however  base 
and  unworthy,  might  invent  ;  but  you  practised  a  neat,  a 
military,  a — a — yes,  a  classical  deception  on  your  enemy  ; 
a  classical  deception,  that  is  the  very  term  for  it !  such  a 
deception  as  Pompey,  or  Marc  Antony  or — or — you  know 
those  old  fellows'  names,  better  than  I  do,  Kit ;  but  name 
the  cleverest  fellow  that  ever  lived  in  Greece  or  Rome,  and 
I  shall  say  he  is  a  dunce  compared  to  you.  'T  was  a  real 
Spartan  trick,  both  simple  and  honest." 

It  was  extremely  fortunate  for  Dillon,  that  the  animation 
of  his  aged  kinsman  kept  his  head  and  body  in  such  con- 
stant motion,  during  this  apostrophe,  as  to  intercept  the  aim 
that  the  cockswain  was  deliberately  taking  at  his  head  with 
one  of  Borroughclifife's  pistols  ;  and  perhaps  the  sense  of 
shame  which  induced  him  to  sink  his  face  on  his  hands,  was 
another  means  of  saving  his  life,  by  giving  the  indignant  old 
seaman  time  for  reflection. 

"But  you  have  not  spoken  of  the  ladies,"  said  Dillon, 
after  a  moment's  pause  ;  "  I  should  hope,  they  have  borne 
the  alarm  of  the  day  like  kinswomen  of  the  family  of 
Howard. ' ' 

The  colonel  glanced  his  eyes  around  him,  as  if  to  assure 
himself  they  were  alone,  and  dropped  his  voice,  as  he 
answered, — 

"  Ah,  Kit !  they  have  come  to,  since  this  rebel  scoundrel, 
Griffith,  has  been  brought  into  the  Abbey  ;  we  were  favored 
with  the  company  of  even  Miss  Howard,  in  the  dining-room, 


266 


XTbe  pilot 


to-day.  There  was  a  good  deal  of  '  dear  uncleing, '  and 
*  fears  that  my  life  might  be  exposed  by  the  quarrels  and 
skirmishes  of  these  desperadoes  who  have  landed  '  ;  as  if  an 
old  fellow,  who  served  through  the  whole  war,  from '56  to 
'63,  was  afraid  to  let  his  nose  smell  gunpowder  any  more 
than  if  it  were  snuff!  But  it  will  be  a  hard  matter  to 
wheedle  an  old  soldier  out  of  his  allegiance  !  This  Griffith 
goes  to  the  Tower,  at  least,  Mr.  Dillon." 

* '  It  would  be  advisable  to  commit  his  person  to  the  civil 
authority,  without  delay." 

* '  To  the  constable  of  the  Tower,  the  Earl  Cornwallis,  a 
good  and  loyal  nobleman,  who  is,  at  this  moment,  fighting 
the  rebels  in  my  own  native  province,  Christopher, ' '  inter- 
rupted the  colonel  ;  * '  that  will  be  what  I  call  retributive 
justice  ;  but,"  continued  the  veteran,  rising  with  an  air  of 
gentlemanly  dignity,  *  *  it  will  not  do  to  permit  even  the 
constable  of  the  Tower  of  I^ondon  to  surpass  the  master  of 
St.  Ruth  in  hospitality  and  kindness  to  his  prisoners.  I 
have  ordered  suitable  refreshments  to  their  apartments, 
and  it  is  incumbent  on  me  to  see  that  my  commands  have 
been  properly  obeyed.  Arrangements  must  also  be  made 
for  the  reception  of  this  Captain  Barnstable,  who  will, 
doubtless,  soon  be  here. ' ' 

* '  Within  the  hour,  at  furthest, ' '  said  Dillon,  looking  un- 
easily at  his  watch. 

' '  We  must  be  stirring,  boy, ' '  continued  the  colonel,  mov- 
ing towards  the  door  that  led  to  the  apartments  of  his 
prisoners  ;  ' '  but  there  is  a  courtesy  due  to  the  ladies,  as 
well  as  to  those  unfortunate  violators  of  the  laws — go, 
Christopher,  convey  my  kindest  wishes  to  Cecilia ;  she 
don't  deserve  them,  the  obstinate  vixen,  but  then  she  is  my 
brother  Harry's  child  !  and  while  there,  you  arch  dog, 
plead  your  own  cause.  Marc  Antony  was  a  fool  to  you  at 
a  *  ruse, '  and  yet  Marc  was  one  of  your  successful  suitors, 
too  ;  there  was  that  Queen  of  the  Pyramids — ' ' 

The  door  closed  on  the  excited  veteran,  at  these  words, 
and  Dillon  was  left  standing  by  himself,  at  the  side  of  the 
table,  musing,  as  if  in  doubt,  whether  to  venture  on  the 
step  that  his  kinsman  had  proposed,  or  not. 


Ubc  pilot 


267 


The  greater  part  of  the  preceding  discourse  was  unin- 
telligible to  the  cockswain,  who  had  waited  its  termination 
with  extraordinary  patience,  in  hopes  he  might  obtain  some 
information  that  he  could  render  of  service  to  the  captives. 
Before  he  had  time  to  decide  on  what  was  now  best  for  him 
to  do,  Dillon  suddenly  determined  to  venture  himself  in 
the  cloisters  ;  and,  swallowing  a  couple  of  glasses  of  wine 
in  a  breath,  he  passed  the  hesitating  cockswain,  who  was 
concealed  by  the  opening  door,  so  closely  as  to  brush  his 
person,  and  moved  down  the  gallery  with  those  rapid  strides 
which  men  who  act  under  the  impulse  of  forced  resolutions 
are  very  apt  to  assume,  as  if  to  conceal  their  weakness  from 
themselves.  Tom  hesitated  no  longer  ;  but  aiding  the  im- 
pulse given  to  the  door  by  Dillon,  as  he  passed,  so  as  to 
darken  the  passage,  he  followed  the  sounds  of  the  other's 
footsteps,  while  he  trod  in  the  manner  already  described, 
the  stone  pavement  of  the  gallery.  Dillon  paused  an  in- 
stant at  the  turning  that  led  to  the  room  of  Borroughcliffe, 
but  whether  irresolute  which  way  to  urge  his  steps,  or  lis- 
tening to  the  incautious  and  heavy  tread  of  the  cockswain, 
is  not  known  ;  if  the  latter,  he  mistook  them  for  the  echoes 
of  his  own  footsteps,  and  moved  forward  again  without 
making  any  discovery. 

The  light  tap  which  Dillon  gave  on  the  door  of  the 
withdra wing-room  of  the  cloisters,  was  answered  by  the 
soft  voice  of  Cecilia  Howard  herself,  who  bid  the  applicant 
enter.  There  was  a  slight  confusion  evident  in  the  manner 
of  the  gentleman  as  he  complied  with  the  bidding,  and  in 
its  hesitancy,  the  door  was,  for  an  instant,  neglected. 

I  come.  Miss  Howard,"  said  Dillon,  **by  the  commands 
of  your  uncle,  and,  permit  me  to  add,  to  my  own — " 

"May  Heaven  shield  us!"  exclaimed  Cecilia,  clasping 
her  hands  in  affright,  and  rising  involuntarily  from  her 
couch,    are  we,  too,  to  be  imprisoned  and  murdered  ?  " 

''Surely  Miss  Howard  will  not  impute  tome — "  Dillon 
paused,  observing  that  the  wild  looks,  not  only  of  Cecilia, 
but  of  Katherine  and  Alice  Dunscombe,  also,  were  directed 
at  some  other  object,  and  turning,  to  his  manifest  terror  he 
beheld  the  gigantic  frame  of  the  cockswain,  surmounted  by 


268 


Ube  pilot 


an  iron  visage  fixed  in  settled  hostility,  in  possession  of  the 
only  passage  from  the  apartment. 

"  If  there 's  murder  to  be  done,"  said  Tom,  after  survey- 
ing the  astonished  group  with  a  stern  eye,  "  it  's  as  likely 
this  here  liar  will  be  the  one  to  do  it,  as  another ;  but  you 
have  nothing  to  fear  from  a  man  who  has  followed  the  seas 
too  long,  and  has  grappled  with  two  many  monsters,  both 
fish  and  flesh,  not  to  know  how  to  treat  a  helpless  woman. 
None,  who  know  him,  will  say  that  Thomas  Coffin  ever 
used  uncivil  language,  or  unseaman-like  conduct,  to  any  of 
his  mother's  kind." 

' '  Coffin  !  ' '  exclaimed  Katherine,  advancing  with  a  more 
confident  air,  from  the  corner  into  which  terror  had  driven 
her  with  her  companions. 

"Ay,  Coffin,"  continued  the  old  sailor,  his  grim  features 
gradually  relaxing,  as  he  gazed  on  her  bright  looks  ;  "  '  tis 
a  solemn  word,  but  it 's  a  word  that  passes  over  the  shoals, 
among  the  islands,  and  along  the  cape,  oftener  than  any  other. 
My  father  was  a  Coffin,  and  my  mother  was  a  Joy  ;  and  the 
two  names  can  count  more  flukes  than  all  the  rest  in  the 
island  together ;  though  the  Worths,  and  the  Garners,  and 
the  Swaines,  dart  better  harpoons,  and  set  truer  lances,  than 
any  men  who  come  from  the  weather-side  of  the  Atlantic." 

Katherine  listened  to  this  digression  in  honor  of  the 
whalers  of  Nantucket,  with  marked  complacency ;  and, 
when  he  concluded,  she  repeated,  slowly, — 
y     Coffin  !  this,  then,  is  long  Tom  !  " 

*'Ay,  ay,  long  Tom,  and  no  sham  in  the  name  either," 
returned  the  cockswain,  suffering  the  stern  indignation  that 
had  lowered  around  his  hard  visage  to  relax  into  a  low 
laugh  as  he  gazed  on  her  animated  features  ;  '  *  the  I^ord 
bless  your  smiling  face  and  bright  black  eyes,  young  madam  ! 
you  have  heard  of  old  long  Tom,  then  ?  most  likely,  't  was 
something  about  the  blow  he  strikes  at  the  fish — ah  !  I 'm 
old  and  I  'm  stiff,  now,  young  madam,  but  afore  I  was  nine- 
teen, I  stood  at  the  head  of  the  dance,  at  a  ball  on  the 
cape,  and  that  with  a  partner  almost  as  handsome  as  yoin:- 
self ;  ay,  and  this  was  after  I  had  three  broad  flukes  logged 
against  my  name." 


ZTbe  pilot 


269 


"  No,"  said  Katherine,  advancing  in  her  eagerness  a  step 
or  two  nigher  to  the  old  tar,  her  cheeks  flushing  while  she 
spoke,  "  I  had  heard  of  you  as  an  instructor  in  a  seaman's 
duty,  as  the  faithful  cockswain,  nay,  I  may  say,  as  the 
devoted  companion  and  friend,  of  Mr.  Richard  Barnstable  ; 
but,  perhaps,  you  come  now  as  the  bearer  of  some  message 
or  letter  from  that  gentleman." 

The  sound  of  his  commander's  name  suddenly  revived 
the  recollection  of  Coffin,  and  with  it  all  the  fierce  stern- 
ness of  his  manner  returned.  Bending  his  eyes  keenly  on 
the  cowering  form  of  Dillon,  he  said,  in  those  deep,  harsh 
tones,  that  seem  peculiar  to  men  who  have  braved  the  ele- 
ments, until  they  appear  to  have  imbibed  some  of  their 
roughest  qualities, — 

"Liar!  how  now?  what  brought  old  Tom  Cofl&n  into 
these  shoals  and  narrow  channels  ?  was  it  a  letter  ?  ha  ! 
but  by  the  Lord  that  maketh  the  winds  to  blow,  and  teach- 
eth  the  lost  mariner  how  to  steer  over  the  wide  waters,  you 
shall  sleep  this  night,  villain,  on  the  planks  of  the  Ariel  ; 
and  if  it  be  the  will  of  God  that  beautiful  piece  of  handi- 
craft is  to  sink  at  her  moorings,  like  a  worthless  hulk,  ye 
shall  still  sleep  in  her ;  ay,  and  a  sleep  that  shall  not  end, 
till  they  call  all  hands,  to  foot  up  the  day's-work  of  this 
life,  at  the  close  of  man's  longest  voyage." 

The  extraordinary  vehemence,  the  language,  the  attitude 
of  the  old  seaman,  commanding  in  its  energy,  and  the  hon- 
est indignation  that  shone  in  every  look  of  his  keen  eyes, 
together  with  the  nature  of  the  address,  and  its  paralyzing 
effect  on  Dillon,  who  quailed  before  it  like  the  stricken 
deer,  united  to  keep  the  female  listeners,  for  many  moments, 
silent  through  amazement.  During  this  brief  period,  Tom 
advanced  upon  his  nerveless  victim,  and  lashing  his  arms 
together  behind  his  back,  he  fastened  him  by  a  strong  cord, 
to  the  broad  canvas  belt  that  he  constantly  wore  around 
his  own  body,  leaving  to  himself,  by  this  arrangement,  the 
free  use  of  his  arms  and  weapons  of  offence,  while  he 
secured  his  captive. 

"purely,"  said  Cecilia,  recovering  her  recollection  the 
first  of  the  astonished  group,.  ' '  Mr.  Barnstable  has  not  com- 


270 


xrbe  pilot 


missioned  you  to  offer  this  violence  to  my  uncle's  kinsman 
under  the  roof  of  Colonel  Howard?  Miss  Plowden,  your 
friend  has  strangely  forgotten  himself  in  this  transaction,  if 
this  man  acts  in  obedience  to  his  order  !  " 

**My  friend,  my  cousin  Howard,"  returned  Katherine, 
''would  never  commission  his  cockswain,  or  any  one,  to  do 
an  unworthy  deed.  Speak,  honest  sailor ;  why  do  you 
commit  this  outrage  on  the  worthy  Mr.  Dillon,  Colonel 
Howard's  kindsman,  and  a  cupboard  cousin  of  St.  Ruth's 
Abbey?  " 

"Nay,  Katherine—" 

"Nay,  Cecilia,  be  patient,  and  let  the  stranger  have 
utterance  ;  he  may  solve  the  diflSculty  altogether. ' ' 

The  cockswain,  understanding  that  an  explanation  was 
expected  from  his  lips,  addressed  himself  to  the  task  with 
an  energy  suitable  both  to  the  subject  and  to  his  own  feel- 
ings. In  a  very  few  words,  though  a  little  obscured  by  his 
peculiar  diction,  he  made  his  listeners  understand  the 
confidence  that  Barnstable  had  reposed  in  Dillon,  and  the 
treachery  of  the  latter.  They  heard  him  with  increased 
astonishment,  and  Cecilia  hardly  allowed  him  time  to  con- 
clude, before  she  exclaimed, — 

' '  And  did  Colonel  Howard,  could  Colonel  Howard  listen 
to  this  treacherous  project  !  " 

"Ay,  they  spliced  it  together  among  them,"  returned 
Tom  ;  ' '  though  one  part  of  this  cruise  will  turn  out  but 
badly." 

"  Bven  Borroughcliffe,  cold  and  hardened  as  he  appears 
to  be  by  habit,  would  spurn  at  such  dishonor, ' '  added  Miss 
Howard. 

' '  But,  Mr.  Barnstable  ?  "  at  length  Katherine  succeeded 
in  saying,  when  her  feelings  permitted  her  utterance,  '  *  said 
you  not,  that  soldiers  were  in  quest  of  him  ?  ' ' 

' '  Ay,  ay,  young  madam, ' '  the  cockswain  replied,  smil- 
ing with  grim  ferocity,  "they  are  in  chase,  but  he  has 
shifted  his  anchorage,  and  even  if  they  should  find  him,  his 
long  pikes  would  make  short  work  of  a  dozen  red-coats. 
The  lyord  of  tempests  and  calms  have  mercy,  though,  on 
the  schooner !    Ah,  young  madam,  she  is  as  lovely  to 


Ube  pilot 


271 


the  eyes  of  an  old  seafaring  man,  as  any  of  your  kind  can 
be  to  human  nature  !  " 

"But  why  this  delay?  away  then,  honest  Tom,  and  re- 
veal the  treachery  to  your  commander  ;  you  may  not  yet 
be  too  late — why  delay  a  moment?  " 

*'The  ship  tarries  for  want  of  a  pilot.  I  could  carry 
three  fathom  over  the  shoals  of  Nantucket,  the  darkest 
night  that  ever  shut  the  windows  of  heaven,  but  I  should 
be  likely  to  run  upon  breakers  in  this  navigation.  As  it 
was,  I  was  near  getting  into  company  that  I  should  have 
had  to  fight  my  way  out  of." 

If  that  be  all,  follow  me,"  cried  the  ardent  Katherine  ; 
"  I  will  conduct  you  to  a  path  that  leads  to  the  ocean,  with- 
out approaching  the  sentinels." 

Until  this  moment,  Dillon  had  entertained  a  secret  ex- 
pectation of  a  rescue,  but  when  he  heard  this  proposal,  he 
felt  his  blood  retreating  to  his  heart,  from  every  part  of  his 
agitated  frame,  and  his  last  hope  seemed  wrested  from  him. 
Raising  himself  from  the  abject  shrinking  attitude  in  which 
both  shame  and  dread  had  conspired  to  keep  him,  as  though 
he  had  been  fettered  to  the  spot,  he  approached  Cecilia,  and 
cried,  in  tones  of  horror, — 

Do  not,  do  not  consent.  Miss  Howard,  to  abandon  me 
to  the  fury  of  this  man  !  Your  uncle,  your  honorable  uncle, 
even  now  applauded  and  united  with  me  in  my  enterprise, 
which  is  no  more  than  a  common  artifice  in  war. ' ' 

"  My  uncle  would  imite,  Mr.  Dillon,  in  no  project  of  de- 
liberate treachery  like  this,"  said  Cecilia,  coldly. 

"He  did,  I  swear  by—" 

"  lyiar  !  "  interrupted  the  deep  tones  of  the  cockswain. 

Dillon  shivered  with  agony  and  terror,  while  the  sounds 
of  this  appalling  voice  sunk  into  his  inmost  soul ;  but  as 
the  gloom  of  the  night,  the  secret  ravines  of  the  cliffs,  and 
the  turbulence  of  the  ocean,  flashed  across  his  imagination, 
he  again  yielded  to  a  dread  of  the  horrors  to  which  he  should 
be  exposed,  in  encountering  them  at  the  mercy  of  his  power- 
ful enemy,  and  he  continued  his  solicitations  : — 

"  Hear  me,  once  more  hear  me — Miss  Howard,  I  beseech 
you,  hear  me  !    Am  I  not  of  your  own  blood  and  country  ? 


272 


XTbe  pilot 


will  you  see  me  abandoned  to  the  wild,  merciless,  malignant 
fury  of  this  man,  who  will  transfix  me  with  that — O  God  ! 
if  you  had  but  seen  the  sight  I  beheld  in  the  Alacrity  ! — 
hear  me.  Miss  Howard  ;  for  the  love  you  bear  your  Maker, 
intercede  for  me  !    Mr.  Griffith  shall  be  released — " 

"  lyiar  !  "  again  interrupted  the  cockswain. 

' '  What  promises  he  ?  "  asked  Cecilia,  turning  her  averted 
face  once  more  to  the  miserable  captive. 

Nothing  at  all  that  will  be  fulfilled,"  said  Katherine  ; 
"follow,  honest  Tom,  and  I,  at  least,  will  conduct  you  in 
good  faith." 

Cruel,  obdurate  Miss  Plowden  ;  gentle,  kind  Miss  Alice, 
you  will  not  refuse  to  raise  your  voice  in  my  favor ;  your 
heart  is  not  hardened  by  any  imaginary  dangers  to  those 
you  love." 

"Nay,  address  not  me,"  said  Alice,  bending  her  meek 
eyes  to  the  floor  ;  "I  trust  your  life  is  in  no  danger  ;  and  I 
pray  that  He  who  has  the  power,  will  have  the  mercy,  to  see 
you  unharmed." 

"Away  !"  said  Tom,  grasping  the  collar  of  the  helpless 
Dillon,  and  rather  carrying  than  leading  him  into  the  gal- 
lery :  "  if  a  sound,  one  quarter  as  loud  as  a  young  porpoise 
makes  when  he  draws  his  first  breath,  comes  from  you, 
villain,  you  shall  see  the  sight  of  the  Alacrity  over  again. 
My  harpoon  keeps  its  edge  well,  and  the  old  arm  can  yet 
drive  it  to  the  seizing. ' ' 

This  menace  effectually  silenced  even  the  hard,  perturbed 
breathings  of  the  captive,  who,  with  his  conductor,  followed 
the  light  steps  of  Katherine  through  some  of  the  secret 
mazes  of  the  building,  until,  in  a  few  minutes,  they  issued 
through  a  small  door  into  the  open  air.  Without  pausing 
to  deliberate.  Miss  Plowden  led  the  cockswain  through  the 
grounds,  to  a  different  wicket  from  the  one  by  which  he  had 
entered  the  paddock,  and  pointing  to  the  path,  which  might 
be  dimly  traced  along  the  faded  herbage,  she  bade  God  bless 
him,  in  a  voice  that  discovered  her  interest  in  his  safety, 
and  vanished  from  his  sight  like  an  aerial  being. 

Tom  needed  no  incentive  to  his  speed,  now  that  his  course 
lay  so  plainly  before  him,  but  loosening  his  pistols  in  his 


XTbe  pilot 


»73 


belt  and  poising  his  harpoon,  he  crossed  the  fields  at  a  gait 
that  compelled  his  companion  to  exert  his  utmost  powers, 
in  the  way  of  walking,  to  equal.  Once  or  twice  Dillon 
ventured  to  utter  a  word  or  two  ;  but  a  stern  * '  Silence  ! ' ' 
from  the  cockswain  warned  him  to  cease,  until,  perceiving 
that  they  were  approaching  the  cliffs,  he  made  a  final  effort 
to  obtain  his  liberty  by  hurriedly  promising  a  large  bribe. 
The  cockswain  made  no  reply,  and  the  captive  was  secretly 
hoping  that  his  scheme  was  producing  its  wonted  effects, 
when  he  unexpectedly  felt  the  keen,  cold  edge  of  the  barbed 
iron  of  the  harpoon  pressing  against  his  breast,  through  the 
opening  of  his  ruffles,  and  even  rasing  his  skin. 

*'Liar!"  said  Tom;  "another  word,  and  I'll  drive  it 
through  your  heart ! ' ' 

From  that  moment  Dillon  was  as  silent  as  the  grave. 
They  reached  the  edge  of  the  cliffs,  without  encountering 
the  party  that  had  been  sent  in  quest  of  Barnstable,  and  at 
a  point  near  where  they  had  landed.  The  old  seaman 
paused  an  instant  on  the  verge  of  the  precipice,  and  cast  his 
experienced  eyes  along  the  wide  expanse  of  water  that  lay 
before  him.  The  sea  was  no  longer  sleeping,  but  already  in 
heavy  motion,  and  rolling  its  surly  waves  against  the  base 
of  the  rocks  on  which  he  stood,  scattering  their  white  crests 
high  in  foam.  The  cockswain,  after  bending  his  looks  along 
the  whole  line  of  the  eastern  horizon,  gave  utterance  to  a 
low  and  stifled  groan  ;  and  then,  striking  the  staff  of  his 
harpoon  violently  against  the  earth,  he  pin-sued  his  way 
along  the  very  edge  of  the  cliffs,  muttering  certain  dreadful 
denunciations,  which  the  conscience  of  his  appalled  listener 
did  not  fail  to  apply  to  himself.  It  appeared  to  the  latter, 
that  his  angry  and  excited  leader  sought  the  giddy  verge 
of  the  precipice  with  a  sort  of  wanton  recklessness,  so  daring 
were  the  steps  that  he  took  along  its  brow,  notwithstanding 
the  darkness  of  the  hour,  and  the  violence  of  the  blasts  that 
occasionally  rushed  by  them,  leaving  behind  a  kind  of  reac- 
tion, that  more  than  once  brought  the  life  of  the  manacled 
captive  in  imminent  jeopardy.  But  it  would  seem  the  wary 
cockswain  had  a  motive  for  this  apparently  inconsiderate 
desperation.    When  they  had  made  good  quite  half  the 

l8 


274 


XTbe  pilot 


distance  between  the  point  where  Barnstable  had  landed 
and  that  where  he  had  appointed  to  meet  his  cockswain, 
the  sound  of  voices  were  brought  indistinctly  to  their  ears, 
in  one  of  the  momentary  pauses  of  the  rushing  winds,  and 
caused  the  cockswain  to  make  a  dead  stand  in  his  progress. 
He  listened  intently  for  a  single  minute,  when  his  resolution 
appeared  to  be  taken.  He  turned  to  Dillon  and  spoke  ;  though 
his  voice  was  suppressed  and  low,  it  was  deep  and  resolute. 

'  *  One  word,  and  you  die ;  over  the  cliffs  !  You  must 
take  a  seaman's  ladder  :  there  is  a  footing  on  the  rocks,  and 
crags  for  your  hands.  Over  the  cliff,  I  bid  ye,  or  I  '11  cast 
ye  into  the  sea,  as  I  would  a  dead  enemy  ! ' ' 

Mercy,  mercy  !  "  implored  Dillon  ;  "I  could  not  do  it 
in  the  day  ;  by  this  light  I  shall  surely  perish." 

''Over  with  ye!"  said  Tom,  "or—" 
'  Dillon  waited  for  no  more,  but  descended,  with  trembling 
steps,  the  dangerous  precipice  that  lay  before  him.  He  was 
followed  by  the  cockswain,  with  a  haste  that  unavoidably 
dislodged  his  captive  from  the  trembling  stand  he  had  taken 
on  the  shelf  of  a  rock,  who,  to  his  increased  horror,  found 
himself  dangling  in  the  air,  his  body  impending  over  the 
sullen  surf,  that  was  tumbling  in  with  violence  upon  the 
rocks  beneath  him.  An  involuntary  shriek  burst  from 
Dillon,  as  he  felt  his  person  thrust  from  the  narrow  shelf  ; 
and  his  cry  sounded,  amidst  the  tempest,  like  the  screechings 
of  the  spirit  of  the  storm, 

"Another  such  a  call,  and  I  cut  your  tow-line,  villain," 
said  the  determined  seaman,  "when  nothing  short  of  eter- 
nity will  bring  you  up. ' ' 

The  sounds  of  footsteps  and  voices  were  now  distinctly 
audible,  and  presently  a  party  of  armed  men  appeared  on 
the  edges  of  the  rocks,  directly  above  them. 

"It  was  a  human  voice,"  said  one  of  them,  "and  like 
a  man  in  distress." 

*  *  It  cannot  be  the  men  we  are  sent  in  search  of, ' '  returned 
Sergeant  Drill ;  "for  no  watchword  that  I  ever  heard 
sounded  like  that  cry." 

'  *  They  say  that  such  cries  are  often  heard  in  storms  along 
this  coast, ' '  said  a  voice  that  was  uttered  with  less  of  military 


Ubc  pilot 


275 


confidence  than  the  two  others  :  *  *  and  they  are  thought  to 
come  from  drowned  seamen." 

A  feeble  laugh  arose  among  the  listeners,  and  one  or  two 
forced  jokes  were  made  at  the  expense  of  their  superstitious 
comrade  ;  but  the  scene  did  not  fail  to  produce  its  effect  on 
even  the  most  sturdy  among  the  unbelievers  in  the  marvel- 
lous ;  for,  after  a  few  more  similar  remarks,  the  whole  party 
retired  from  the  cliffs,  at  a  pace  that  might  have  been 
accelerated  by  the  nature  of  their  discourse.  The  cockswain, 
who  had  stood  all  this  time,  firm  as  the  rock  which  supported 
him,  bearing  up  not  only  his  own  weight,  but  the  person  of 
Dillon  also,  raised  his  head  above  the  brow  of  the  precipice, 
as  they  withdrew,  to  reconnoitre,  and  then,  drawing  up  the 
nearly  insensible  captive,  and  placing  him  in  safety  on  the 
bank,  he  followed  himself.  Not  a  moment  was  wasted  in  un- 
necessary explanations,  but  Dillon  found  himself  again  urged 
forw^ard,  with  the  same  velocity  as  before.  In  a  few  minutes 
they  gained  the  desired  ravine,  down  which  Tom  plunged 
with  a  seaman's  nerve,  dragging  his  prisoner  after  him,  and 
directly  they  stood  where  the  waves  rose  to  their  feet,  as 
they  flowed  far  and  foaming  across  the  sands.  The  cock- 
swain stooped  so  low  as  to  bring  the  crests  of  the  billows  in 
a  line  with  the  horizon,  when  he  discovered  the  dark  boat, 
playing  in  the  outer  edge  of  the  surf. 

"  What  ho  !  Ariels  there  !  "  shouted  Tom,  in  a  voice  that 
the  growing  tempest  carried  to  the  ears  of  the  retreating 
soldiers,  who  quickened  their  footsteps,  as  they  listened  to 
sounds  which  their  fears  taught  them  to  believe  supernat- 
ural. 

"Who  hails?"  cried  the  well-known  voice  of  Barnstable. 

"Once  your  master,  now  your  servant,"  answered  the 
cockswain  with  a  watchword  of  his  own  invention. 

"  'Tis  he,"  returned  the  lieutenant;  "veer  away,  boys, 
veer  away.    You  must  wade  into  the  surf." 

Tom  caught  Dillon  in  his  arms  ;  and  throwing  him,  like  a 
cork,  across  his  shoulder,  he  dashed  into  the  streak  of  foam 
that  was  bearing  the  boat  on  its  crest,  and  before  his  com- 
panion had  time  for  remonstrance  or  entreaty,  he  found 
himself  once  more  by  the  side  of  Barnstable. 


276 


xrbe  pilot 


* '  Who  have  we  here  ? ' '  said  the  heutenant ;  * '  this  is  not 
Griffith!  " 

"Haul  out  and  weigh  your  grapnel,"  said  the  excited 
cockswain;  "and  then,  boys,  if  you  love  the  Ariel,  pull 
while  the  life  and  will  is  left  in  you." 

Barnstable  knew  his  man,  and  not  another  question  was 
asked,  until  the  boat  was  without  the  breakers,  now  skim- 
ming the  rounded  summits  of  the  waves,  or  settling  into  the 
hollows  of  the  seas,  but  always  cutting  the  waters  asunder, 
as  she  urged  her  course,  with  amazing  velocity,  towards  the 
haven  where  the  schooner  had  been  left  at  anchor.  Then, 
in  a  few  but  bitter  sentences,  the  cockswain  explained  to  his 
commander  the  treachery  of  Dillon,  and  the  danger  of  the 
schooner. 

' '  The  soldiers  are  slow  at  night  muster, ' '  Tom  concluded  ; 
' '  and  from  what  I  overheard,  the  express  will  have  to  make 
a  crooked  course,  to  double  the  head  of  the  bay,  so  that  but 
for  this  northeaster,  we  might  weather  upon  them  yet ;  but 
it 's  a  matter  that  lies  altogether  in  the  will  of  Providence. 
Pull,  my  hearties,  pull !  everything  depends  on  your  oars 
to-night." 

Barnstable  listened  in  deep  silence  to  this  unexpected 
narration,  which  sounded  in  the  ears  of  Dillon  like  his 
funeral  knell.  At  length,  the  suppressed  voice  of  the  lieu- 
tenant was  heard,  also,  uttering, — 

"  Wretch  !  if  I  should  cast  you  into  the  sea,  as  food  for  the 
dshes,  who  could  blame  me  ?  But  if  my  schooner  goes  to 
the  bottom,  she  shall  prove  your  coffin  ! " 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

**  Had  I  been  any  god  of  power,  I  would 
Have  sunk  the  sea  within  the  earth,  ere 
It  should  the  good  ship  so  have  swallowed." 

Tempest. 

THK  arms  of  Dillon  were  released  from  their  confine- 
ment by  the  cockswain,  as  a  measure  of  humane 
caution  against  accidents,  when  they  entered  the 
surf ;  and  the  captive  now  availed  himself  of  the 
circumstance  to  bury  his  features  in  the  folds  of  his  attire, 
when  he  brooded  over  the  events  of  the  last  few  hours  with 
that  mixture  of  malignant  passion  and  pusillanimous  dread  of 
the  future,  that  formed  the  chief  ingredients  in  his  character. 
From  this  state  of  apparent  quietude  neither  Barnstable  nor 
Tom  seemed  disposed  to  rouse  him  by  their  remarks,  for 
both  were  too  much  engaged  with  their  own  gloomy  forebod- 
ings, to  indulge  in  any  unnecessary  words.  An  occasional 
ejaculation  from  the  former,  as  if  to  propitiate  the  spirit  of 
the  storm,  as  he  gazed  on  the  troubled  appearance  of  the 
elements,  or  a  cheering  cry  from  the  latter  to  animate  his 
crew,  alone  were  heard  amid  the  sullen  roaring  of  the  waters, 
and  the  mournful  whistling  of  the  winds  that  swept  heavily 
across  the  broad  waste  of  the  German  Ocean.  There  might 
have  been  an  hour  consumed  thus,  in  a  vigorous  struggle 
between  the  seamen  and  the  growing  billows,  when  the  boat 
doubled  the  northern  headland  of  the  desired  haven,  and 
shot  at  once,  from  its  boisterous  passage  along  the  margin  of 
the  breakers,  into  the  placid  waters  of  the  sequestered  bay. 
The  passing  blasts  were  still  heard  rushing  above  the  high 
lands  that  surrounded,  and  in  fact  formed  the  estuary  ;  but 

^71 


278 


Ube  pilot 


the  profound  stillness  of  deep  night  pervaded  the '^secret 

recesses,  along  the  unruffled  surface  of  its  waters.  The 
shadows  of  the  hills  seemed  to  have  acciunulated,  like  a  mass 
of  gloom,  in  the  centre  of  the  basin,  and  though  every  eye 
involuntarily  turned  to  search,  it  was  in  vain  that  the  anx- 
ious seamen  endeavored  to  discover  their  little  vessel  through 
its  density.  While  the  boat  glided  into  this  quiet  scene, 
Barnstable  anxiously  observed, — 
"  Everything  is  as  still  as  death." 

**  God  send  it  is  not  the  stillness  of  death!"  ejaculated 
the  cockswain.  "  Here,  here,"  he  continued,  speaking  in  a 
lower  tone,  as  if  fearful  of  being  overheard,  "  here  she  lies, 
sir,  more  to  port ;  look  into  the  streak  of  clear  sky  above 
the  marsh,  on  the  starboard  hand  of  the  wood,  there  ;  that 
long  black  line  in  her  main-topmast ;  I  know  it  by  the  rake  ; 
and  there  is  her  night-pennant  fluttering  about  that  bright 
star ;  ay,  ay,  sir,  there  go  our  own  stars  aloft  yet,  dancing 
among  the  stars  in  the  heavens  !  God  bless  her  !  God  bless 
her  !  she  rides  as  easy  and  as  quiet  as  a  gull  asleep  ! '  * 

*  *  I  believe  all  in  her  sleep  too, ' '  returned  his  commander. 
"  Ha  !  by  Heaven,  we  have  arrived  in  good  time  ;  the  sol- 
diers are  moving  ! ' ' 

The  quick  eye  of  Barnstable  had  detected  the  glimmering 
of  passing  lanterns,  as  they  flitted  across  the  embrasures 
of  the  battery,  and  at  the  next  moment  the  guarded  but  dis- 
tinct sounds  of  an  active  bustle  on  the  decks  of  the  schooner 
were  plainly  audible.  The  lieutenant  was  rubbing  his  hands 
together,  with  a  sort  of  ecstasy  that  probably  will  not  be 
understood  by  the  great  majority  of  our  readers,  while  long 
Tom  was  actually  indulging  in  a  paroxysm  of  his  low,  spirit- 
less laughter,  as  these  certain  intimations  of  the  safety  of 
the  Ariel,  and  of  the  vigilance  of  her  crew,  were  conveyed 
to  their  ears  ;  when  the  whole  hull  and  taper  spars  of  their 
floating  home  became  unexpectedly  visible,  and  the  sky,  the 
placid  basin,  and  the  adjacent  hills,  were  illuminated  by  a 
flash  as  sudden  and  as  vivid  as  the  keenest  lightning.  Both 
Barnstable  and  his  cockswain  seemed  instinctively  to  strain 
their  eyes  towards  the  schooner,  with  an  effort  to  surpass 
human  vision  ;  but  ere  the  rolling  reverberations  of  the  re- 


Ubc  pilot 


port  of  a  heavy  piece  of  orcinance  from  the  heights  had  com- 
menced, the  dull,  whistling  rush  of  the  shot  swept  over  their 
heads,  like  the  moaning  of  a  hurricane,  and  was  succeeded 
by  the  plash  of  the  waters,  which  was  followed,  in  a  breath, 
by  the  rattling  of  the  mass  of  iron,  as  it  bounded  with  vio- 
lent fury  from  rock  to  rock,  shivering  and  tearing  the  frag- 
ments that  lined  the  margin  of  the  bay. 

*'A  bad  aim  with  the  first  gun  generally  leaves  your 
enemy  clean  decks,"  said  the  cockswain,  with  his  deliberate 
sort  of  philosophy  ;  '  'smoke  makes  but  dim  spectacles ; 
besides,  the  night  always  grows  darkest  as  you  call  off  the 
morning  watch. ' ' 

That  boy  is  a  miracle  for  his  years  !  "  rejoined  the  de- 
lighted lieutenant.  "  See,  Tom,  the  j^ounker  has  shifted  his 
berth  in  the  dark,  and  the  Englishmen  have  fired  by  the 
day-range  they  must  have  taken,  for  we  left  him  in  a  direct 
line  between  the  battery  and  yon  hummock  !  What  would 
have  become  of  us  if  that  heavy  fellow  had  plunged  upon 
our  decks,  and  gone  out  below  the  water-line  ?  " 

*  *  We  should  have  sunk  into  English  mud,  for  eternity, 
as  sure  as  our  metal  and  kentledge  would  have  taken  us 
down,"  responded  Tom  ;  such  a  point-blanker  would  have 
torn  off  a  streak  of  our  wales,  outboard,  and  not  even  left 
the  mariners  time  to  say  a  prayer  !    Tend  bow  there  !  ' ' 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  crew  of  the  whale-boat 
continued  idle,  during  this  interchange  of  opinions  between 
the  lieutenant  and  his  cockswain  ;  on  the  contrary,  the  sight 
of  their  vessel  acted  on  them  like  a  charm,  and,  believing 
that  all  necessity  for  caution  was  now  over,  they  had  ex- 
pended their  utmost  strength  in  efforts  that  had  already 
brought  them,  as  the  last  words  of  Tom  indicated,  to  the 
side  of  the  Ariel.  Though  every  nerve  of  Barnstable  wa^ 
thrilling  with  the  excitement  produced  by  his  feelings  pass- 
ing from  a  state  of  the  most  doubtful  apprehension  to  thai 
of  a  revived  and  almost  confident  hope  of  effecting  his 
escape,  he  assumed  the  command  of  his  vessel  with  all  that 
stern  but  calm  authority,  that  seamen  find  it  most  necessary 
to  exert  in  the  moments  of  extremest  danger.  Any  one 
of  the  heavy  shot  that  their  enemies  continued  to  hurl  from 


28o 


Ube  pilot 


their  heights  into  the  darkness  of  the  haven  he  well  kne^ 
must  prove  fatal  to  them,  as  it  would,  unavoidably,  pass 
through  the  slight  fabric  of  the  Ariel,  and  open  a  passage  to 
the  water  that  no  means  he  possessed  could  remedy.  His 
mandates  were,  therefore,  issued  with  a  full  perception  of 
the  critical  nature  of  the  emergency,  but  with  that  collect- 
edness  of  manner,  and  intonation  of  voice,  that  were  best 
adapted  to  enforce  a  ready  and  animated  obedience.  Under 
this  impulse,  the  crew  of  the  schooner  soon  got  their  anchor 
freed  from  the  bottom,  and,  seizing  their  sweeps,  they  forced 
her  by  their  united  efforts  directly  in  the  face  of  the  battery, 
under  that  shore  whose  summit  was  now  crowned  with 
a  canopy  of  smoke,  that  every  discharge  of  the  ordnance 
tinged  with  dim  colors,  like  the  faintest  tints  that  are  re- 
flected from  the  clouds  toward  a  setting  sun.  So  long  as 
the  seamen  were  enabled  to  keep  their  little  bark  under  the 
cover  of  the  hill,  they  were,  of  course,  safe  ;  but  Barnstable 
perceived,  as  they  emerged  from  its  shadow,  and  were  draw- 
ing nigh  the  passage  which  led  into  the  ocean,  that  the 
action  of  his  sweeps  would  no  longer  avail  them  against  the 
currents  of  air  they  encountered,  neither  would  the  darkness 
conceal  their  movements  from  his  enemy,  who  had  already 
employed  men  on  the  shore  to  discern  the  position  of  the 
schooner.  Throwing  off  at  once,  therefore,  all  appearance 
of  disguise,  he  gave  forth  the  word  to  spread  the  canvas  of 
his  vessel,  in  his  ordinary  cheerful  manner. 

"  IvCt  them  do  their  worst  now,  Merry,"  he  added  ;  we 
have  brought  them  to  a  distance  that  I  think  will  keep 
their  iron  above  water,  and  we  have  no  dodge  about  us^ 
younker ! ' ' 

*  *  It  must  be  keener  marksmen  than  the  militia,  or  volun- 
teers, or  fencibles,  or  whatever  they  call  themselves,  behind 
yon  grass-bank,  to  frighten  the  saucy  Ariel  from  the  wind, ' ' 
returned  the  reckless  boy  ;  * '  but  why  have  you  brought 
Jonah  aboard  us  again,  sir  ?  Look  at  him  by  the  light  of 
the  cabin  lamp ;  he  winks  at  every  gun,  as  if  he  expected 
the  shot  would  hull  his  own  ugly  yellow  physiognomy. 
And  what  tidings  have  we,  sir,  from  Mr.  Griffith  and  the 
marine  ?  ' ' 


XTbe  pilot 


281 


**Name  him  not,"  said  Barnstable,  pressing  the  shoulder 
on  which  he  lightly  leaned,  with  a  convulsive  grasp,  that 
caused  the  boy  to  yield  with  pain  ;  "  name  him  not,  Merry. 
I  want  my  temper  and  my  faculties  at  this  moment  undis- 
turbed, and  thinking  of  the  wretch  unfits  me  for  my  duty. 
But,  there  will  come  a  time  !  go  forward,  sir ;  we  feel  the 
wind,  and  have  a  narrow  passage  to  work  through. ' ' 

The  boy  obeyed  a  mandate  which  was  given  in  the  usual 
prompt  manner  of  their  profession,  and  which,  he  well  un- 
derstood, was  intended  to  intimate,  that  the  distance  which 
years  and  rank  had  created  between  them,  but  which  Barn- 
stable often  chose  to  forget  while  communing  with  Merry, 
was  now  to  be  resumed.  The  sails  had  been  loosened  and 
set ;  and,  as  the  vessel  approached  the  throat  of  the  pas- 
sage, the  gale,  which  was  blowing  with  increasing  violence, 
began  to  make  a  very  sensible  impression  on  the  light  bark. 
The  cockswain,  who,  in  the  absence  of  most  of  the  inferior 
officers,  had  been  acting,  on  the  forecastle,  the  part  of  one 
who  felt,  from  his  years  and  experience,  that  he  had  some 
right  to  advise,  if  not  to  command,  at  such  a  juncture,  now 
walked  to  the  station  which  his  commander  had  taken,  near 
the  helmsman,  as  if  willing  to  place  himself  in  the  way  of 
being  seen. 

"Well,  Master  Coffin,"  said  Barnstable,  who  well  under- 
stood the  propensity  his  old  shipmate  had  to  commune  with 
him  on  all  important  occasions,  ''what  think  you  of  the 
cruise  now  ?  Those  gentlemen  on  the  hill  make  a  great 
noise,  but  I  have  lost  even  the  whistling  of  their  shot ;  one 
would  think  they  could  see  our  sails  against  the  broad  band 
of  light  which  is  opening  to  seaward." 

Ay,  ay,  sir  ;  they  see  us,  and  mean  to  hit  us  too  ;  but 
we  are  running  across  their  fire,  and  that  with  a  ten-knot 
breeze ;  but  when  we  heave  in  stays,  and  get  in  a  line  with 
their  guns,  we  shall  see,  and  it  may  be  feel,  more  of  their 
work  than  we  do  now  ;  a  thirty-two  ain't  trained  as  easily 
as  a  fowling-piece  or  a  ducking-gun." 

Barnstable  was  struck  with  the  truth  of  this  observation, 
but  as  there  existed  an  immediate  necessity  for  placing  the 
schooner  in  the  very  situation  to  which  the  other  alluded. 


^82 


Ubc  mot 


he  gave  his  orders  at  once,  and  the  vessel  came  about,  and 
ran  with  her  head  pointing  towards  the  sea,  in  as  short  a 
time  as  we  have  taken  to  record  it. 

'  *  There,  they  have  us  now,  or  never, ' '  cried  the  lieuten- 
ant, when  the  evolution  was  completed.  "  If  we  fetch  to 
windward  off  the  northern  point,  we  shall  lay  out  into  the 
offing,  and  in  ten  minutes  we  might  laugh  at  Queen  Anne's 
pocket-piece,  which,  you  know,  old  boy,  sent  a  ball  from 
Dover  to  Calais." 

"  Ay,  sir,  I  've  heard  of  the  gun,"  returned  the  grave  sea- 
man, * '  and  a  lively  piece  it  must  have  been,  if  the  straits 
were  always  of  the  same  width  they  are  now.  But  I  see 
that.  Captain  Barnstable,  which  is  more  dangerous  than  a 
dozen  of  the  heaviest  cannon  that  were  ever  cast  can  be,  at 
half  a  league's  distance.  The  water  is  bubbling  through 
our  lee-scuppers,  already,  sir. ' ' 

And  what  of  that  ?  have  n't  I  buried  her  guns  often,  and 
yet  kept  every  spar  in  her  without  crack  or  splinter  ?  ' ' 

"Ay,  ay,  sir,  you  have  done  it,  and  can  do  it  again, 
where  there  is  sea-room,  which  is  all  that  a  man  wants  for 
comfort  in  this  life.  But  when  we  are  out  of  these  chops, 
we  shall  be  embayed,  with  a  heavy  northeaster  setting  dead 
into  the  bight ;  it  is  that  which  I  fear.  Captain  Barnstable, 
more  than  all  the  powder  and  ball  in  the  whole  island.'* 

* '  And  yet,  Tom,  the  balls  are  not  to  be  despised,  either  ; 
those  fellows  have  found  out  their  range,  and  send  their 
iron  within  hail  again.  We  walk  pretty  fast,  Mr.  Coffin  ; 
but  a  thirty-two  can  out-travel  us,  with  the  best  wind  that 
ever  blew." 

Tom  threw  a  cursory  glance  towards  the  battery,  which 
liad  renewed  its  fire  with  a  spirit  that  denoted  they  saw 
their  object,  as  he  answered, — 

It  is  never  worth  a  man's  while  to  strive  to  dodge  a 
shot ;  for  they  are  all  commissioned  to  do  their  work,  the 
same  as  a  ship  is  commissioned  to  cruise  in  certain  lati- 
tudes :  but  for  the  winds  and  the  weather,  they  are  given 
for  a  seafaring  man  to  guard  against,  by  making  or  short- 
ening sail,  as  the  case  may  be.  Now,  the  headland  to  the 
southward  stretches  full  three  leagues  to  windward,  and  the 


Ube  JMlot 


283 


shoals  lie  to  the  north  ;  among  which  God  keep  us  from 
ever  running  this  craft  again  !  ' ' 

"We  will  beat  her  out  of  the  bight,  old  fellow,"  cried  the 
lieutenant ;  "we  shall  have  a  leg  of  three  leagues  in  length 
to  do  it  in." 

*'I  have  known  longer  legs  too  short,"  returned  the 
cockswain,  shaking  his  head  ;  "a  tumbling  sea,  with  a  lee- 
tide,  on  a  lee-shore,  makes  a  sad  leeway." 

The  lieutenant  was  in  the  act  of  replying  to  this  saying 
with  a  cheerful  laugh,  when  the  whistling  of  a  passing  shot 
was  instantly  succeeded  by  a  crash  of  splintered  wood  ;  and 
at  the  next  moment  the  head  of  the  mainmast,  after  totter- 
ing for  an  instant  in  the  gale,  fell  toward  the  deck,  bring- 
ing with  it  the  mainsail,  and  the  long  line  of  topmast,  that 
had  been  bearing  the  emblems  of  America,  as  the  cock- 
swain had  expressed  it,  among  the  stars  of  the  heavens. 

' '  That  was  a  most  unlucky  hit  !  "  Barnstable  suffered  to 
escape  him,  in  the  concern  of  the  moment ;  but,  instantly 
resuming  all  his  collectedness  of  manner  and  voice,  he  gave 
his  orders  to  clear  the  wreck,  and  secure  the  fluttering 
canvas. 

The  mournful  forebodings  of  Tom  seemed  to  vanish  with 
the  appearance  of  a  necessity  for  his  exertions,  and  he  was 
foremost  among  the  crew  in  executing  the  orders  of  their 
commander.  The  loss  of  all  the  sail  on  the  mainmast 
forced  the  Ariel  so  much  from  her  course,  as  to  render  it 
difiicult  to  weather  the  point,  that  jutted,  under  her  lee,  for 
some  distance  into  the  ocean.  This  desirable  object  was, 
however,  effected  by  the  skill  of  Barnstable,  aided  by  the 
excellent  properties  of  his  vessel ;  and  the  schooner,  borne 
down  by  the  power  of  the  gale,  from  whose  fury  she  had 
now  no  protection,  passed  heavily  along  the  land,  heading, 
as  far  as  possible,  from  the  breakers,  while  the  seamen  were 
engaged  in  making  their  preparations  to  display  as  much  of 
their  mainsail  as  the  stump  of  the  mast  would  allow  them 
to  spread.  The  firing  from  the  battery  ceased,  as  the  Ariel 
rounded  the  little  promontory  ;  but  Barnstable,  whose  gaze 
was  now  bent  intently  on  the  ocean,  soon  perceived  that,  as 
his  cockswain  had  predicted,  he  had  a  much  more  threat- 


284 


Zl)c  pilot 


ening  danger  to  encounter  in  the  elements.  When  theil 
damages  were  repaired,  so  far  as  circumstances  would  per- 
mit, the  cockswain  returned  to  his  wonted  station  near  the 
lieutenant ;  and  after  a  momentary  pause,  during  which  his 
eyes  roved  over  the  rigging  with  a  seaman's  scrutiny,  he 
resumed  the  discourse. 

' '  It  would  have  been  better  for  us  that  the  best  men  in 
the  schooner  should  have  been  dubbed  of  a  limb,  by  that  shot, 
than  that  the  Ariel  should  have  lost  her  best  leg  ;  a  main- 
sail close-reefed  may  be  prudent  canvas  as  the  wind  blows, 
but  it  holds  a  poor  luff  to  keep  a  craft  to  windward." 

"  What  would  you  have,  Tom  Coffin?  "  retorted  his  com- 
mander. "  You  see  she  draws  ahead,  and  off-shore  ;  do  you 
expect  a  vessel  to  fly  in  the  very  teeth  of  the  gale  ?  or  would 
you  have  me  wear  and  beach  her  at  once  ? ' ' 

*'I  would  have  nothing,  nothing,  Captain  Barnstable," 
returned  the  old  seaman,  sensibly  touched  at  his  command- 
er's displeasure  :  "  you  are  as  able  as  any  man  that  ever  trod 
a  plank  to  work  her  into  an  offing  ;  but,  sir,  when  that  sol- 
dier-officer told  me  of  the  scheme  to  sink  the  Ariel  at  her 
anchor,  there  were  such  feelings  come  athwart  my  philosophy 
as  never  crossed  it  afore.  I  thought  I  saw  her  a  wrack,  as 
plainly,  ay,  as  plainly  as  you  may  see  the  stump  of  that 
mast ;  and,  I  will  own  it,  for  it 's  as  natural  to  love  the  craft 
you  sail  in  as  it  is  to  love  one' s  self,  I  will  own  that  my  man- 
hood fetched  a  heavy  lee-lurch  at  the  sight." 

* '  Away  with  ye,  ye  old  sea-croaker  !  forward  with  ye,  and 
see  that  the  head-sheets  are  trimmed  flat.  But  hold  !  come 
hither,  Tom  ;  if  you  have  sights  of  wrecks,  and  sharks,  and 
other  beautiful  objects,  keep  them  stowed  in  your  own  silly 
brain  ;  don't  make  a  ghost-parlor  of  my  forecastle.  The  lads 
begin  to  look  to  leeward,  now,  oftener  than  I  would  have 
them.  Go,  sirrah,  go,  and  take  example  from  Mr.  Merry, 
who  is  seated  on  your  namesake  there,  and  is  singing  as  if 
he  were  a  chorister  in  his  father's  church." 

"  Ah,  Captain  Barnstable,  Mr.  Merry  is  a  boy,  who  knows 
nothing,  so  fears  nothing.  But  I  shall  obey  your  orders,  sir  ; 
and  if  the  men  fall  astamthis  gale,  it  shan't  be  for  anything 
they  '11  hear  from  old  Tom  Coffin." 


XTbe  pilot 


285 


The  cockswain  lingered  a  moment,  notwithstanding  his 
promised  obedience,  and  then  ventured  to  request  that — 

''Captain  Barnstable  would  please  call  Mr.  Merry  from 
the  gun  ;  for  I  know,  from  having  followed  the  seas  my 
natural  life,  that  singing  in  a  gale  is  sure  to  bring  the  wind 
down  upon  a  vessel  the  heavier  ;  for  He  who  rules  the  tem- 
pests is  displeased  that  man's  voice  shall  be  heard  when  He 
chooses  to  send  his  own  breath  on  the  water." 

Barnstable  was  at  a  loss,  whether  to  laugh  at  his  cock- 
swain's infirmity,  or  to  yield  to  the  impression  which  his 
earnest  and  solemn  manner  had  a  powerful  tendency  to  pro- 
duce, amid  such  a  scene.  But  making  an  effort  to  shake 
off  the  superstitious  awe  that  he  felt  creeping  around  his  own 
heart,  the  lieutenant  relieved  the  mind  of  the  worthy  old  sea- 
man so  far  as  to  call  the  careless  boy  from  his  perch,  to  hi^ 
own  side  ;  where  respect  for  the  sacred  character  of  the  quar- 
ter-deck instantly  put  an  end  to  the  lively  air  he  had  been 
humming.  Tom  walked  slowly  forward,  apparently  much 
relieved  by  the  reflection  that  he  had  effected  so  important 
an  object. 

The  Ariel  continued  to  struggle  against  the  winds  and 
ocean  for  several  hours  longer,  before  the  day  broke  on  the 
tempestuous  scene,  and  the  anxious  mariners  were  enabled 
to  form  a  more  accurate  estimate  of  their  real  danger.  As 
the  violence  of  the  gale  increased,  the  canvas  of  the  schooner 
had  been  gradually  reduced,  imtil  she  was  unable  to  show 
more  than  was  absolutely  necessary  to  prevent  her  driving 
helplessly  on  the  land.  Barnstable  watched  the  appearance 
of  the  weather,  as  the  light  slowly  opened  upon  them,  with 
an  intense  anxiety,  which  denoted  that  the  presentiments  of 
the  cockswain  were  no  longer  deemed  idle.  On  looking  to 
windward,  he  beheld  the  green  masses  of  water  that  were 
rolling  in  towards  the  land,  with  a  violence  that  seemed  ir- 
resistible, crowned  with  ridges  of  foam  ;  and  there  were  mo- 
ments when  the  air  appeared  filled  with  sparkling  gems,  as 
the  rays  of  the  rising  sun  fell  upon  the  spray  that  w^as  swept 
from  wave  to  wave.  Toward  the  land  the  view  was  still 
more  appalling.  The  cliffs,  but  a  short  half-league  under 
the  lee  of  the  schooner,  wete,  at  all  times,  nearly  hid  from 


XTbe  pilot 


the  eye  by  the  pyramids  of  water,  which  the  furious  elementj 
so  suddenly  restrained  in  its  violence,  cast  high  into  the  air, 
as  if  seeking  to  overleap  the  boundaries  that  nature  had 
fixed  to  its  dominion.  The  whole  coast,  from  the  distant 
headland  at  the  south,  to  the  well-known  shoals  that 
stretched  far  beyond  their  course  in  the  opposite  direction, 
displayed  a  broad  belt  cf  foam,  into  which  it  would  have 
been  certain  destruction,  for  the  proudest  ship  that  ever 
swam,  to  enter.  Still,  the  Ariel  floated  on  the  billows  lightly 
and  in  safety,  though  yielding  to  the  impulses  of  the  waters, 
and,  at  times,  appearing  to  be  engulfed  in  the  yawning 
chasms,  which  apparently  opened  beneath  her  to  receive  the 
little  fabric.  The  low  rumor  of  acknowledged  danger  had 
found  its  way  through  the  schooner,  and  the  seamen,  after 
fastening  their  hopeless  looks  on  the  small  spot  of  canvas  that 
they  were  still  able  to  show  to  the  tempests,  would  turn  to  view 
the  dreary  line  of  coast,  that  seemed  to  offer  so  gloomy  an 
alternative.  Even  Dillon,  to  whom  the  report  of  their  dan- 
ger had  found  its  way,  crept  from  his  place  of  concealment 
in  the  cabin,  and  moved  about  the  decks  unheeded,  devour- 
ing, with  greedy  ears,  such  opinions  as  fell  from  the  lips  of 
the  sullen  mariners. 

-  At  this  moment  of  appalling  apprehension,  the  cockswain 
exhibited  the  calmest  resignation.  He  knew  all  had  beeci 
done,  that  lay  in  the  power  of  man,  to  urge  their  little  vessel 
from  the  land,  and  it  was  now  too  evident,  to  his  experi- 
enced eyes,  that  it  had  been  done  in  vain ;  but,  considering 
himself  as  a  sort  of  fixture  in  the  schooner,  he  was  quite  pre- 
pared to  abide  her  fate,  be  it  for  better  or  for  worse.  The  set- 
tled look  of  gloom  that  gathered  around  the  frank  brow  of 
Barnstable  was  in  no  degree  connected  with  any  consider- 
ations of  himself;  but  proceeded  from  that  sort  of  parental 
responsibility,  from  which  the  sea-commander  is  never  ex- 
empt. The  discipline  of  the  crew,  however,  still  continued 
perfect  and  unyielding.  There  had,  it  is  true,  been  a  slight 
movement  made  b}^  one  or  two  of  the  older  seamen,  which 
indicated  an  intention  to  drown  the  apprehensions  of  death 
in  ebriety  ;  but  Barnstable  had  called  for  his  pistols  in  a  tone 
that  checked  the  procedure  instantly,  and,  although  the  fatal 


Ube  pilot 


287 


weapons  were,  untouched  by  htm,  left  to  lie  exposed  on  the 
capstan,  where  they  had  been  placed  by  his  servant,  not  an- 
other symptom  of  insubordination  appeared  among  the  de- 
voted crew.  There  was  even  what  to  a  landsman  might 
seem  an  appalling  affectation  of  attention  to  the  most  trifling 
duties  of  the  vessel ;  and  the  men  who,  it  should  seem,  ought 
to  be  devoting  the  brief  moments  of  their  existence  to  the 
mighty  business  of  the  hour,  were  constantly  called  to  attend 
to  the  most  trivial  details  of  their  profession.  Ropes  were 
coiled,  and  the  slightest  damages  occasioned  by  the  waves, 
which,  at  short  intervals,  swept  across  the  low  decks  of  the 
Ariel,  were  repaired,  with  the  same  precision  and  order,  as  if 
she  yet  lay  embayed  in  the  haven  from  which  she  had  just 
been  driven.  In  this  manner  the  arm  of  authority  was  kept 
extended  over  the  silent  crew,  not  with  the  vain  desire  to 
preserve  a  lingering  though  useless  exercise  of  power,  but 
with  a  view  to  maintain  that  unity  of  action  that  now  could 
alone  afford  them  even  a  ray  of  hope. 

"  She  can  make  no  head  against  this  sea,  under  that  rag 
of  canvas,"  said  Barnstable,  gloomily,  addressing  the  cock- 
swain, who,  with  folded  arms,  and  an  air  of  cool  resignation, 
was  balancing  his  body  on  the  verge  of  the  quarter-deck, 
while  the  schooner  was  plunging  madly  into  waves  that 
nearly  buried  her  in  their  bosom :  "  the  poor  little  thing 
trembles  like  a  frightened  child,  as  she  meets  the  water." 

Tom  sighed  heavily,  and  shook  his  head,  before  he  an- 
swered,— 

* '  If  we  could  have  kept  the  head  of  the  mainmast  an 
hour  longer,  we  might  have  got  an  offing,  and  fetched  to 
windward  of  the  shoals ;  but  as  it  is,  sir,  mortal  man  can't 
drive  a  craft  to  windward — she  sets  bodily  in  to  land,  and 
will  be  in  the  breakers  in  less  than  an  hour,  unless  God 
wills  that  the  wind  shall  cease  to  blow. ' ' 

*  *  We  have  no  hope  left  us,  but  to  anchor  ;  our  ground 
tackle  may  yet  bring  her  up. ' ' 

Tom  turned  to  his  commander,  and  replied  solemnly,  and 
with  that  assurance  of  manner,  that  long  experience  only 
can  give  a  man  in  moments  of  great  danger, — 

' '  If  our  sheet-cable  was  bent  to  our  heaviest  anchor,  this 


288 


Ube  pilot 


sea  would  bring  it  home,  though  nothing  but  her  launch  was 
tiding  by  it.  A  northeaster  in  the  German  Ocean  must  and 
will  blow  itself  out  ;  nor  shall  we  get  the  crown  of  the  gale 
until  the  sun  falls  over  the  land.  Then,  indeed,  it  may  lull ; 
for  the  winds  do  often  seem  to  reverence  the  glory  of  the 
heavens  too  much  to  blow  their  might  in  its  very  face  ! 

* '  We  must  do  our  duty  to  ourselves  and  the  country, '  ^ 
returned  Barnstable.  '  *  Go,  get  the  two  bowers  spliced,  and 
have  a  kedge  bent  to  a  hawser  :  we  '11  back  our  two  anchors 
together,  and  veer  to  the  better  end  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  fathoms  ;  it  may  yet  bring  her  up.  See  all  clear  there 
for  anchoring,  and  cutting  away  the  mast !  we  '11  leave  the 
wind  nothing  but  a  naked  hull  to  whistle  over." 
y  "Ay,  if  there  was  nothing  but  the  wind,  we  might  yet 
live  to  see  the  sun  sink  behind  them  hills,"  said  the  cock- 
swain ;  '  *  but  what  hemp  can  stand  the  strain  of  a  craft  that 
is  buried,  half  the  time,  to  her  foremast  in  the  water  ?  ' ' 

The  order  was,  however,  executed  by  the  crew,  with  a 
sort  of  desperate  submission  to  the  will  of  their  commander  ; 
and  when  the  preparations  were  completed,  the  anchors  and 
kedge  were  dropped  to  the  bottom,  and  the  instant  that  the 
Ariel  tended  to  the  wind,  the  axe  was  applied  to  the  little 
that  was  left  of  her  long,  raking  masts.  The  crash  of  the 
falling  spars,  as  they  came,  in  succession,  across  the  decks 
of  the  vessel,  appeared  to  produce  no  sensation  amid  that 
scene  of  complicated  danger  ;  but  the  seamen  proceeded  in 
silence  to  their  hopeless  duty  of  clearing  the  wrecks.  Every 
eye  followed  the  floating  timbers,  as  the  waves  swept  them 
away  from  the  vessel,  with  a  sort  of  feverish  curiosity,  to 
witness  the  efiect  produced  by  their  collision  with  those 
rocks  that  lay  so  fearfully  near  them  ;  but  long  before  the 
spars  entered  the  wide  border  of  foam,  they  were  hid  from 
view  by  the  furious  element  in  which  they  floated.  It  was 
now  felt  by  the  whole  crew  of  the  Ariel,  that  their  last 
means  of  safety  had  been  adopted  ;  and,  at  each  desperate 
and  headlong  plunge  the  vessel  took,  into  the  bosom  of  the 
seas  that  rolled  upon  her  forecastle,  the  anxious  seamen 
thought  that  they  could  perceive  the  yielding  of  the  iron 
that  yet  clung  to  the  bottom,  or  could  hear  the  violent  svu'e:e 


XTbe  ipllot 


289 


of  the  parting  strands  of  the  cable,  that  still  held  them  to 
their  anchors.  While  the  minds  of  the  sailors  were  agitated 
with  the  faint  hopes  that  had  been  excited  by  the  movements 
of  their  schooner,  Dillon  had  been  permitted  to  wander 
about  the  deck  unnoticed  :  his  rolling  eyes,  hard  breathing, 
and' clenched  hands,  excited  no  observation  among  the  men, 
whose  thoughts  were  yet  dwelling  on  the  means  of  safety. 
But  now,  when  with  a  sort  of  frenzied  desperation  he  would 
follow  the  retiring  waters  along  the  decks,  and  venture  his 
person  nigh  the  group  that  had  collected  around  and  on  the 
gun  of  the  cockswain,  glances  of  fierce  or  of  sullen  vengeance 
were  cast  at  him,  that  conveyed  threats  of  a  nattue  that  he 
was  too  much  agitated  to  understand. 

If  ye  are  tired  of  this  world,  though  your  time,  like  my 
own,  is  probably  but  short  in  it,"  said  Tom  to  him,  as  he 
passed  the  cockswain  in  one  of  his  turns,  *  *  you  can  go  for- 
ward among  the  men  ;  but  if  ye  have  need  of  the  momenta 
to  foot  up  the  reck'ning  of  your  doings  among  men,  afore 
ye 're  brought  to  face  your  Maker,  and  hear  the  log-book  of 
Heaven,  I  would  advise  you  to  keep  as  nigh  as  possible  to 
Captain  Barnstable  or  myself. ' ' 

Will  you  promise  to  save  me  if  the  vessel  is  wrecked ?  '* 
exclaimed  Dillon,  catching  at  the  first  sounds  of  friendly 
interest  that  had  reached  his  ears  since  he  had  been  recap- 
tured ;  '  *  O  !  if  you  will,  I  can  secure  your  future  ease,  yes, 
wealth,  for  the  remainder  of  your  days  !  " 

'  *  Your  promises  have  been  too  ill  kept  afore  this,  for  the 
peace  of  your  soul,"  returned  the  cockswain,  without  bitter- 
ness, though  sternly  ;  *  *  but  it  is  not  in  me  to  strike  even  a 
whale  that  is  already  spouting  blood. ' ' 

The  intercessions  of  Dillon  were  interrupted  by  a  dreadful 
cry,  that  arose  among  the  men  forward,  and  which  sounded 
with  increased  horror,  amid  the  roarings  of  the  tempest. 
The  schooner  rose  on  the  breast  of  a  wave  at  the  same  in- 
stant, and  falling  ofif  with  her  broadside  to  the  sea,  she 
drove  in  towards  the  cliffs,  like  a  bubble  on  the  rapids  of 
a  cataract. 

"Our  ground-tackle  has  parted,"  said  Tom,  with  his  re- 
signed patience  of  manner  undisturbed  ;  "  she  shall  die  as 

Z9 


290 


TTbe  pilot 


easy  as  man  can  make  her  ! ' '  While  he  yet  spoke,  he  seized 
the  tiller,  and  gave  to  the  vessel  such  a  direction  as  would 
be  most  likely  to  cause  her  to  strike  the  rocks  with  her  bow3 
foremost. 

There  was,  for  one  moment,  an  expression  of  exquisite 
anguish  betrayed  in  the  dark  countenance  of  Barnstable ; 
but,  at  the  next,  it  passed  away,  and  he  spoke  cheerfully  to 
his  men: — 

*  *  Be  steady,  my  lads,  be  calm  ;  there  is  yet  a  hope  of  life 
for  you — our  light  draught  will  let  us  run  in  close  to  the 
cliffs,  and  it  is  still  falling  water — see  your  boats  clear,  and 
be  steady." 

The  crew  of  the  whale-boat,  aroused  b}^  this  speech  from 
a  sort  of  stupor,  sprang  into  their  light  vessel,  which  was 
quickly  lowered  into  the  sea,  and  kept  riding  on  the  foam, 
free  from  the  sides  of  the  schooner,  by  the  powerful  exer- 
tions of  the  men.  The  cry  for  the  cockswain  was  earnest 
and  repeated,  but  Tom  shook  his  head,  without  replying, 
still  grasping  the  tiller,  and  keeping  his  eyes  steadily  bent 
on  the  chaos  of  waters  into  which  they  were  driving.  The 
launch,  the  largest  boat  of  the  two,  was  cut  loose  from  the 
' '  gripes, ' '  and  the  bustle  and  exertion  of  the  moment  ren- 
dered the  crew  insensible  to  the  horror  of  the  scene  that 
surrounded  them.  But  the  loud  hoarse  call  of  the  cock- 
swain, to  "Look  out !  secure  yourselves  !  "  suspended  even 
their  effort^,  and  at  that  instant  the  Ariel  settled  on  a  wave 
that  meltea  from  under  her,  heavily  on  the  rocks.  The 
shock  was  so  violent,  as  to  throw  all  who  disregarded  the 
warning  cry  from  their  feet,  and  the  universal  quiver  that 
pervaded  the  vessel  was  like  the  last  shudder  of  animated 
nature.  For  a  time  long  enough  to  breathe,  the  least  ex- 
perienced among  the  men  supposed  the  danger  to  be  past ; 
but  a  wave  of  great  height  followed  the  one  that  had  deserted 
them,  and  raising  the  vessel  again,  threw  her  roughly 
still  farther  on  the  bed  of  rocks,  and  at  the  same  time  its 
crest  broke  over  her  quarter,  sweeping  the  length  of  hei 
decks  with  a  fury  that  was  almost  resistless.  The  shudder- 
ing seamen  beheld  their  loosened  boat  driven  from  their 
grasp,  and  dashed  against  the  base  of  the  chffs,  where  no 


TLbc  pilot 


39] 


fragment  of  her  wreck  could  be  traced,  at  the  receding  of 
the  waters.  But  the  passing  billow  had  thrown  the  veSvSel 
into  a  position  which,  in  some  measure,  protected  her  decks 
from  the  violence  of  those  that  succeeded  it. 

"Go,  my  boys,  go,"  said  Barnstable,  as  the  moment  of 
dreadful  uncertainty  passed  ;  * '  you  have  still  the  whale- 
boat,  and  she,  at  least,  will  take  you  nigh  the  shore.  Go 
into  her,  my  boys.  God  bless  you,  God  bless  you  all !  You 
have  been  faithful  and  honest  fellows,  and  I  believe  He 
will  not  yet  desert  you  ;  go,  my  friends,  while  there  is  a 
lull." 

The  seamen  threw  themselves,  in  a  mass,  into  the  light 
vessel,  w^hich  nearly  sunk  under  the  unusual  burden  ;  but 
when  they  looked  around  them,  Barnstable  and  Merry,  Dillon 
and  the  cockswain,  were  yet  to  be  seen  on  the  decks  of  the 
Ariel.  The  former  was  pacing,  in  deep,  and  perhaps  bitter 
melancholy,  the  wet  planks  of  the  schooner,  while  the  boy 
hung,  unheeded,  on  his  arm,  uttering  disregarded  petitions 
to  his  commander  to  desert  the  wreck.  Dillon  approached 
the  side  where  the  boat  lay,  again  and  again,  but  the 
threatening  countenances  of  the  seamen  as  often  drove  him 
back  in  despair.  Tom  had  seated  himself  on  the  heel  of  the 
bowsprit,  where  he  continued,  in  an  attitude  of  quiet  resig- 
nation, returning  no  other  answers  to  the  loud  and  repeated 
calls  of  his  shipmates,  than  by  waving  his  hand  toward 
the  shore. 

**Now  hear  me,"  said  the  boy,  urging  his  request,  to 
tears ;  "if  not  for  my  sake,  or  for  your  own  sake,  Mr. 
Barnstable,  or  for  the  hope  of  God's  mercy,  go  into  the  boat, 
for  the  love  of  my  cousin  Katherine." 

The  young  lieutenant  paused  in  his  troubled  walk,  and 
for  a  moment  he  cast  a  glance  of  hesitation  at  the  cliffs  ;  but, 
at  the  next  instant,  his  .  eyes  fell  on  the  ruin  of  his  vessel, 
and  he  answered, — 

"Never,  boy,  never;  if  my  hour  has  come,  I  will  not 
shrink  from  my  fate." 

* '  Listen  to  the  men,  dear  sir  ;  the  boat  will  be  swamped; 
alongside  the  wreck,  and  their  cry  is,  that  without  you  they 
will  not  kt  her  go." 


2g2 


Ube  ipilot 


Barnstable  motioned  to  the  boat,  to  bid  the  boy  enter  it^ 
and  turned  away  in  silence. 

"Well,"  said  Merry,  with  firmness,  if  it  be  right  that  a 
lieutenant  shall  stay  by  the  wreck,  it  must  also  be  right  for  a 
midshipman  ;  shove  off ;  neither  Mr.  Barnstable  nor  myself 
will  qui':  the  vessel." 

' '  Boy,  your  life  has  been  intrusted  to  my  keeping,  and  at 
my  hands  will  it  be  required, ' '  said  his  commander,  lifting 
the  struggling  youth,  and  tossing  him  into  the  arms  of  the 
seamen.  "Away  with  ye,  and  God  be  with  you;  there  is 
more  weight  in  you,  now,  than  can  go  safe  to  land." 

Still  the  seamen  hesitated,  for  they  perceived  the  cock- 
swain moving,  with  a  steady  tread,  along  the  deck,  and  they 
hoped  he  had  relented,  and  would  yet  persuade  the  lieuten- 
ant to  join  his  crew.  But  Tom,  imitating  the  example  of 
his  commander,  seized  the  latter,  suddenly,  in  his  powerful 
grasp,  and  threw  him  over  the  bulwarks  with  an  irresistible 
force.  At  the  same  moment  he  cast  the  fast  of  the  boat 
from  the  pin  that  held  it,  and,  lifting  his  broad  hands  high 
into  the  air,  his  voice  was  heard  in  the  tempest :  — 

"  God's  will  be  done  with  me,"  he  cried.  "I  saw  the 
first  timber  of  the  Ariel  laid,  and  shall  live  just  long  enough 
to  see  it  turn  out  of  her  bottom  ;  after  which  I  wish  to  live 
no  longer. ' ' 

But  his  shipmates  were  swept  far  beyond  the  sounds  of  his 
voice,  before  half  these  words  were  uttered.  All  command 
of  the  boat  was  rendered  impossible,  by  the  numbers  it  con- 
tained, as  well  as  the  raging  of  the  surf ;  and,  as  it  rose  on 
the  white  crest  of  a  wave,  Tom  saw  his  beloved  Uttle  craft 
for  the  last  time.  It  fell  into  a  trough  of  the  sea,  and  in  a 
few  moments  more  its  fragments  were  ground  into  splinters 
on  the  adjacant  rocks.  The  cockswain  still  remained  where 
he  had  cast  off  the  rope,  and  beheld  the  numerous  heads  and 
arms  that  appeared,  rising  at  short  intervals,  on  the  waves  ; 
some  making  powerful  and  well-directed  efforts  to  gain  the 
sands,  that  were  becoming  visible  as  the  tide  fell,  and  others 
wildly  tossed,  in  the  frantic  movements  of  helpless  despair. 
The  honest  old  seaman  gave  a  cry  of  joy,  as  he  saw  Barn- 
fttable  issue  from  the  surf,  bearing  the  form  of  Merry  in 


XTbe  pilot 


293 


safety  to  the  sands,  where,  one  by  one,  several  seamen  soon 
appeared  also,  dripping  and  exhausted.  Many  others  of  the 
crew  were  carried,  in  a  similar  manner,  to  places  of  safety  ; 
though,  as  Tom  returned  to  his  seat  on  the  bowsprit,  he 
could  not  conceal  from  his  reluctant  eyes,  the  lifeless  forms 
that  were,  in  other  spots,  driven  against  the  rocks  with  a 
fury  that  soon  left  them  but  few  of  the  outward  vestiges  of 
humanity. 

Dillon  and  the  cockswain  were  now  the  sole  occupants  of 
their  dreadful  station.  The  former  stood  in  a  kind  of  stupid 
despair,  a  witness  of  the  scene  we  have  related  ;  but  as  his 
curdled  blood  began  again  to  flow  more  warmly  through  his 
heart,  he  crept  close  to  the  side  of  Tom,  with  that  sort  of 
selfish  feeling  that  makes  even  hopeless  misery  more  toler- 
able, when  endured  in  participation  with  another. 

"  When  the  tide  falls,"  he  said,  in  a  voice  that  betrayed 
the  agony  of  fear,  though  his  words  expressed  the  renewal 
of  hope,  *  *  we  shall  be  able  to  walk  to  land. ' ' 

"There  was  One  and  only  one  to  whose  feet  the  waters  ' 
were  the  same  as  a  dry  deck,"  returned  the  cockswain; 
* '  and  none  but  such  as  have  His  power  will  ever  be  able 
to  walk  from  these  rocks  to  the  sands."  The  old  seaman 
paused,  and  turning  his  eyes,  which  exhibited  a  mingled 
expression  of  disgust  and  compassion,  on  his  companion,  he 
added,  with  reverence,  "  Had  you  thought  more  of  Him  in 
fair  weather,  your  case  would  be  less  to  be  pitied  in  this 
tempest. ' ' 

Do  you  still  think  there  is  much  danger?  "  asked  Dillon. 

*  *  To  them  that  have  reason  to  fear  death.    lyisten  !  do  you 
hear  that  hollow  noise  beneath  y e  ?  " 

*"T  is  the  wind  driving  by  the  vessel  !  " 

" 'T  is  the  poor  thing  herself,"  said  the  affected  cock- 
swain, "  giving  her  last  groans.  The  water  is  breaking  up 
her  decks,  and  in  a  few  minutes  more,  the  handsomest  model 
that  ever  cut  a  wave,  will  be  like  the  chips  that  fell  from  her 
timbers  in  framing  !  ' ' 

Why  then  did  you  remain  here  !  "  cried  Dillon,  wildly. 

**  To  die  in  my  cofiin,  if  it  should  be  the  will  of  God,"  re-^^^;-" 
turned  Tom.    "  These  waves,  to  me,  are  what  the  land  is  to 


294 


Ube  pilot 


you ;  I  was  bom  on  them,  and  I  have  always  meant  that 
they  should  be  my  grave." 

"But  I— I,"  shrieked  Dillon,  I  am  not  ready  to  die  !  I 
cannot  die  ! — I  will  not  die  !  " 

' '  Poor  wretch  ! ' '  muttered  his  companion  ;  ' '  you  must  go, 
like  the  rest  of  us  ;  when  the  death-watch  is  called,  none  can 
skulk  from  the  muster." 

can  swim,"  Dillon  continued,  rushing  with  frantic 
eagerness  to  the  side  of  the  wreck.  ' '  Is  there  no  billet  of 
wood,  no  rope,  that  I  can  take  with  me?  " 

* '  None  ;  everything  has  been  cut  away,  or  carried  off  by 
the  sea.  If  ye  are  about  to  strive  for  your  life,  take  with  ye 
a  stout  heart  and  a  clean  conscience,  and  trust  the  rest  to 
God!" 

"  God  !  "  echoed  Dillon,  in  the  madness  of  his  frenzy  ;  "  I 
know  no  God  !  there  is  no  God  that  knows  me  !  " 

"Peace!"  said  the  deep  tones  of  the  cockswain,  in  a 
voice  that  seemed  to  speak  in  the  elements  ;  * '  blasphemer, 
peace !  " 

The  heavy  groaning,  produced  by  the  water,  in  the  tim- 
bers of  the  Ariel,  at  that  moment  added  its  impulse  to  the 
raging  feelings  of  Dillon,  and  he  cast  himself  headlong  into 
the  sea. 

The  water,  thrown  by  the  rolling  of  the  surf  on  the  beach, 
was  necessarily  returned  to  the  ocean,  in  eddies,  in  different 
places  favorable  to  such  an  action  of  the  element.  Into  the 
edge  of  one  of  these  counter-currents,  that  was  produced  by 
the  very  rocks  on  which  the  schooner  lay,  and  which  the 
watermen  call  the  "undertow,"  Dillon  had,  unknowingly, 
thrown  his  person  ;  and  when  the  waves  had  driven  him  a 
short  distance  from  the  wreck,  he  was  met  by  a  stream  that 
his  most  desperate  efforts  could  not  overcome.  He  was  a 
light  and  powerful  swimmer,  and  the  struggle  was  hard  and 
protracted.  With  the  shore  immediately  before  his  eyes, 
and  at  no  great  distance,  he  was  led,  as  by  a  false  phantom, 
to  continue  his  efforts,  although  they  did  not  advance  him  a 
foot.  The  old  seaman,  who  at  first  had  watched  his  motions 
with  careless  indifference,  understood  the  danger  of  his  situ- 
ation at  a  glance ;  and,  forgetful  of  his  own  fate,  he  shouted 


TTbe  pilot 


295 


aloud,  in  a  voice  that  was  driven  over  the  struggling  victim 
to  the  ears  of  his  shipmates  on  the  sands, — 

* '  Sheer  to  port,  and  clear  the  undertow  !  sheer  to  the 
southward  !  ' ' 

Dillon  heard  the  sounds,  but  his  faculties  were  too  much 
obscured  by  terror,  to  distinguish  their  object ;  he,  however, 
blindly  yielded  to  the  call,  and  gradually  changed  his  direc- 
tion, until  his  face  was  once  more  turned  towards  the  vessel. 
The  current  swept  him  diagonally  by  the  rocks,  and  he  was 
forced  into  an  eddy,  where  he  had  nothing  to  contend  against 
but  the  waves,  whose  violence  was  much  broken  by  the 
wreck.  In  this  state,  he  continued  still  to  struggle,  but  with 
a  force  that  was  too  much  weakened  to  overcome  the  resist- 
ance he  met.  Tom  looked  around  him  for  a  rope,  but  all 
had  gone  over  with  the  spars,  or  been  swept  awa}^  by  the 
waves.  At  this  moment  of  disappointment,  his  eyes  met 
those  of  the  desperate  Dillon.  Calm,  and  inured  to  horrors, 
as  was  the  veteran  seaman,  he  involuntarily  passed  his  hand 
before  his  brow,  to  exclude  the  look  of  despair  he  encoun- 
tered ;  and  when,  a  moment  afterwards,  he  removed  the 
rigid  member,  he  beheld  the  sinking  form  of  the  victim  as  it 
gradually  settled  in  the  ocean,  still  struggling,  with  regular 
but  impotent  strokes  of  the  arms  and  feet,  to  gain  the  wreck, 
and  to  preserve  an  existence  that  had  been  so  much  abused 
in  its  hour  of  allotted  probation. 

"He  will  soon  know  his  God,  and  learn  that  his  God 
knows  him  ! ' '  murmured  the  cockswain  to  himself.  As  he 
yet  spoke,  the  wreck  of  the  Ariel  yielded  to  an  overwhelm- 
ing sea,  and,  after  an  universal  shudder,  her  timbers  and 
planks  gave  way,  and  were  swept  towards  the  cliffs,  bearing 
the  body  of  the  simple-hearted  cockswain  among  the  ruins.  ^ 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

**  I/ct  us  think  of  them  that  sleep 
Full  many  a  fathom  deep, 
By  the  wild  and  stormy  steep, 
Elsinore  !  " 

Campbbi*i« 

LONG  and  dreary  did  the  hours  appear  to  Barnstable, 
before  the  falling  tide  had  so  far  receded  as  to 
leave  the  sands  entirely  exposed  to  his  search  for 
the  bodies  of  his  lost  shipmates.  Several  had  been 
rescued  from  the  wild  fury  of  the  waves  themselves  ;  and 
one  by  one,  as  the  melancholy  conviction  that  life  had 
ceased  was  forced  on  the  survivors,  they  had  been  decently 
interred  in  graves  dug  on  the  very  margin  of  that  element 
on  which  they  had  passed  their  lives.  But  still  the  form 
longest  known  and  most  beloved  was  missing,  and  the  lieu- 
tenant paced  the  broad  space  that  was  now  left  between  the 
foot  of  the  cliffs  and  the  raging  ocean,  with  hurried  strides 
and  a  feverish  eye,  watching  and  following  those  fragments 
of  the  wreck  that  the  sea  still  continued  to  cast  on  the 
beach.  Living  and  dead,  he  now  found  that  of  those  who 
had  lately  been  in  the  Ariel,  only  two  were  missing.  Of 
the  former  he  could  muster  but  twelve,  besides  Merry  and 
himself,  and  his  men  had  already  interred  more  than  half 
that  number  of  the  latter,  which,  together,  embraced  all  who 
had  trusted  their  lives  to  the  frail  keeping  of  the  whale- 
boat. 

**Tell  me  not,  boy,  of  the  impossibility  of  his  being  safe," 
said  Barnstable,  in  deep  agitation,  which  he  in  vain  strug- 
gled to  conceal  from  the  anxious  youth,  who  thought  it 
wnnecessary  to  follow  the  uneasy  motions  of  his  commander, 


Ube  pilot 


297 


as  lie  strode  along  the  sands.  '  *  How  often  have  men  been 
found  floating  on  pieces  of  wreck,  days  after  the  loss  of 
their  vessel  ?  and  you  can  see,  with  your  own  eyes,  that  the 
falling  water  has  swept  the  planks  this  distance  ;  ay,  a 
good  half-league  from  where  she  struck.  Does  the  look- 
out, from  the  top  of  the  cliffs,  make  no  signal  of  seeing  him 
yet?" 


"  None,  sir,  none;  we  shall  never  see  him  again.  The"^^ 
men  say  that  he  always  thought  it  sinful  to  desert  a  wreck, 
and  that  he  did  not  even  strike  out  once  for  his  life,  though 
he  has  been  known  to  swim  an  hour,  when  a  whale  has 
stove  his  boat.  God  knows,  sir,"  added  the  boy,  hastily 
dashing  a  tear  from  his  eye,  by  a  stolen  movement  of  his 
hand,  ' '  I  loved  Tom  Coffin  better  than  any  foremast  man  in 
either  vessel.  You  seldom  came  aboard  the  frigate  but  we 
had  him  in  the  steerage  among  us  reefers,  to  hear  his  long 
yams,  and  share  our  cheer.  We  all  loved  him,  Mr.  Barn- 
stable ;  but  love  cannot  bring  the  dead  to  life  again." 

"  I  know  it,  I  know  it,"  said  Barnstable,  with  a  huskiness 
in  his  voice  that  betrayed  the  depth  of  his  emotion. 
am  not  so  foolish  as  to  believe  in  impossibilities  ;  but  while 
there  is  a  hope  of  his  living,  I  will  never  abandon  poor 
Tom  Coffin  to  such  a  dreadful  fate.  Think,  boy,  he  may, 
at  this  moment,  be  looking  at  us,  and  praying  to  his  Maker 
that  He  would  turn  our  eyes  upon  him  ;  ay,  praying  to  his 
God,  for  Tom  often  prayed,  though  he  did  it  in  his  watch,<i::::: 
standing,  and  in  silence." 

"If  he  had  clung  to  life  so  strongly, ' '  returned  the  mid-^"-: 
shipman,     he  would  have  struggled  harder  to  preserve  it." 

Barnstable  stopped  short  in  his  hurried  walk,  and  fastened 
a  look  of  opening  conviction  on  his  companion  ;  but,  as  he 
was  about  to  speak  in  reply,  the  shouts  of  the  seamen  reached 
his  ears,  and,  turning,  they  saw  the  whole  party  running 
along  the  beach,  and  motioning,  with  violent  gestures,  to  an 
intermediate  point  in  the  ocean.  The  lieutenant  and  Merry 
hurried  back,  and,  as  they  approached  the  men,  they  dis- 
tinctly observed  a  human  figure,  borne  along  by  the  waves, 
at  moments  seeming  to  rise  above  them,  and  already  floating 
in  the  last  of  the  breakers.    They  had  hardly  ascertained  so 


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much,  when  a  heavy  swell  carried  the  inanimate  body  fiar 
upon  the  sands,  where  it  was  left  by  the  retiring  waters. 

*' 'T  is  my  cockswain  !  "  cried  Barnstable,  rushing  to  the 
spot.  He  stopped  suddenly,  however,  as  he  came  within 
view  of  the  features,  and  it  was  some  little  time  before  he 
appeared  to  have  collected  his  faculties  sufficiently  to  add, 
in  tones  of  deep  horror,  ' '  What  wretch  is  this,  boy  !  his 
form  is  unmutilated,  and  yet  observe  the  eyes  !  they  seem 
as  if  the  sockets  would  not  contain  them,  and  they  gaze  as 
wildly  as  if  their  owner  yet  had  life — the  hands  are  open  and 
spread,  as  though  they  would  still  buffet  the  waves  !  " 

' '  The  Jonah  !  the  Jonah  ! ' '  shouted  the  seamen,  with 
savage  exultation,  as  they  successively  approached  the 
corpse ;  *  *  away  with  his  carrion  into  the  sea  again  !  give 
him  to  the  sharks  !  let  him  tell  his  lies  in  the  claws  of  the 
lobsters  !  " 

Barnstable  had  turned  away  from  the  revolting  sight,  in 
disgust ;  but  when  he  discovered  these  indications  of  impo- 
tent revenge,  in  the  remnant  of  his  crew,  he  said,  in  that 
voice  which  all  respected  and  still  obeyed, — 

* '  Stand  back  !  back  with  ye,  fellows  !  would  you  disgrace 
your  manhood  and  seamanship,  by  wreaking  your  ver^ 
geance  on  him  whom  God  has  already  in  judgment  ! A 
iilent  but  significant  gesture  towards  the  earth  succeeded  his 
words,  and  he  walked  slowly  away. 

' '  Bury  him  in  the  sands,  boys, ' '  said  Merry,  when  his 
commander  was  at  some  little  distance  ;  * '  the  next  tide  will 
unearth  him." 

The  seamen  obeyed  his  orders,  while  the  midshipman  re- 
joined his  commander,  who  continued  to  pace  along  the 
beach,  occasionally  halting,  to  throw  his  uneasy  glances 
over  the  water,  and  then  hurrying  onward,  at  a  rate  that 
caused  his  youthful  companion  to  exert  his  greatest  power  to 
maintain  the  post  he  had  taken  at  his  side.  Every  eflfort  to 
discover  the  lost  cockswain  was,  however,  after  two  hours' 
more  search,  abandoned  as  fruitless  ;  and  with  reason,  for 
the  sea  was  never  known  to  give  up  the  body  of  the  man 
who  might  be  emphatically  called  its  own  dead. 

There  goes  the  sun,  already  dropping  behind  the  cliffs," 


Zbc  pilot 


299 


said  the  lieutenant,  throwing  himself  on  a  rock  ;  "  and  the 
hour  will  soon  arrive  to  set  the  dog-watches  ;  but  we  have 
nothing  left  to  watch  over,  boy  ;  the  surf  and  rocks  have 
not  even  left  us  a  whole  plank  that  we  may  lay  our  heads  on 
for  the  night." 

* '  The  men  have  gathered  many  articles  on  yon  beach, 
sir, "  returned  the  lad;  "they  have  found  arms  to  defend 
ourselves  with,  and  food  to  give  us  strength  to  use  them." 

''And  who  shall  be  our  enemy?"  asked  Barnstable, 
bitterly  ;  *  *  shall  we  shoulder  our  dozen  pikes,  and  carry 
England  by  boarding  ?  ' ' 

We  may  not  lay  the  whole  island  under  contribution," 
continued  the  boy,  anxiously  watching  the  expression  of  his 
commander's  eye  ;  "  but  we  may  still  keep  ourselves  in  work 
tintil  the  cutter  returns  from  the  frigate.  I  hope,  sir,  you 
do  not  think  our  case  so  desperate,  as  to  intend  yielding  as 
prisoners." 

*'  Prisoners  !  "  exclaimed  the  lieutenant ;  "  no,  no,  lad,  it 
has  not  got  to  that,  yet !  England  has  been  able  to  wreck 
my  craft,  I  must  concede  ;  but  she  has,  as  yet,  obtained  no 
other  advantage  over  us.  She  was  a  precious  model.  Merry  I 
the  cleanest  run,  and  the  neatest  entrance,  that  p,rt  evei 
united  on  the  stem  and  stern  of  the  same  vessel  !  Do  you 
remember  the  time,  younker,  when  I  gave  the  frigatfc  my  top- 
sails, in  beating  out  of  the  Chesapeake  ?  I  could  always  do 
it,  in  smooth  water,  with  a  whole-sail-breeze.  But  she  was 
a  frail  thing  !  a  frail  thing,  boy,  and  could  bear  but  little." 

' '  A  mortar  ketch  would  have  thumped  to  pieces  where 
she  lay,"  returned  the  midshipman. 

"  Ay,  it  was  asking  too  much  of  her,  to  expect  she  could 
hold  together  on  a  bed  of  rocks.  Merry,  I  loved  her; 
dearly  did  I  love  her ;  she  was  my  first  command,  and  I 
knew  and  loved  every  timber  and  bolt  in  her  beautiful 
frame  ! ' ' 

"  I  believe  it  is  as  natural,  sir,  for  a  seaman  to  love  the 
wood  and  iron  in  which  he  has  floated  over  the  depths  of  the 
ocean  for  so  many  days  and  nights,"  rejoined  the  boy,  "  as 
it  is  for  a  father  to  love  the  members  of  his  own  family." 

"Quite,  quite,  ay,  more  so,"  said  Barnstable,  speaking 


300 


Ube  pilot 


as  if  he  were  choked  by  emotion.  Merry  felt  the  heavy  grasp 
of  the  lieutenant  on  his  slight  arm,  while  his  commander 
continued,  in  a  voice  that  gradually  increased  in  power,  as 
his  feelings  predominated  ;  * '  and  yet,  boy,  a  human  being 
cannot  love  the  creature  of  his  own  formation  as  he  does  the 
works  of  God.  A  man  can  never  regard  his  ship  as  he  does 
his  shipmates.  I  sailed  with  him,  boy,  when  everything 
seemed  bright  and  happy,  as  at  your  age  ;  when,  as  he  often 
expressed  it,  I  knew  nothing  and  feared  nothing.  I  was 
then  a  truant  from  an  old  father  and  a  kind  mother,  and  he 
did  that  for  me  which  no  parents  could  have  done  in  my 
situation — he  was  my  father  and  mother  on  the  deep  !  hours, 
days,  even  months,  has  he  passed  in  teaching  me  the  art  of 
our  profession  ;  and  now,  in  my  manhood,  he  has  followed 
me  from  ship  to  ship,  from  sea  to  sea,  and  has  only  quitted 
me  to  die,  where  I  should  have  died — as  if  he  felt  the  dis- 
grace of  abandoning  the  poor  Ariel  to  her  fate,  by  herself!  " 

"  No,  no,  no — 't  was  his  superstitious  pride  !  "  interrupted 
Merry  ;  but  perceiving  that  the  head  of  Barnstable  had  sunk 
between  his  hands,  as  if  he  would  conceal  his  emotion,  the 
boy  added  no  more  ;  but  he  sat  respectfully  watching  the 
display  of  feeling  that  his  ojSicer  in  vain  endeavored  to  sup- 
press. Merry  felt  his  own  form  quiver  with  sympathy  at  the 
shuddering  which  passed  through  Barnstable's  frame  ;  and 
the  relief  experienced  by  the  lieutenant  himself  was  not 
greater  than  that  which  the  midshipman  felt,  as  the  latter 
beheld  large  tears  forcing  their  way  through  the  other's 
fingers,  and  falling  on  the  sands  at  his  feet.  They  were  fol- 
lowed by  a  violent  burst  of  emotion,  such  as  is  seldom  exhib- 
ited in  the  meridian  of  life  ;  but  which,  when  it  conquers  the 
nature  of  one  who  has  buffeted  the  chances  of  the  world  with 
the  loftiness  of  his  sex  and  character,  breaks  down  every  bar- 
rier, and  seems  to  sweep  before  it,  like  a  rushing  torrent,  all 
the  factitious  defences  which  habit  and  education  have  cre- 
ated to  protect  the  pride  of  manhood.  Merry  had  often  be* 
held  the  commanding  severit}^  of  the  lieutenant's  manner  in 
moments  of  danger,  with  deep  respect  ;  he  had  been  drawn 
towards  him  by  kindness  and  affection,  in  times  of  gayety 
and  recklessness :  but  he  now  sat  for  many  minutes,  pro- 


Ube  pilot 


301 


foundly  silent,  regarding  his  officer  with  sensations  that 
were  nearly  allied  to  awe.  The  struggle  with  himself  was 
long  and  severe  in  the  bosom  of  Barnstable  ;  bjit  at  length, 
the  calm  of  relieved  passions  succeeded  to  his  emotion. 
When  he  arose  from  the  rock,  and  removed  his  hands  from 
his  features,  his  eye  was  hard  and  proud,  his  brow  slightly 
contracted,  and  he  spoke  in  a  voice  so  harsh,  that  it  startled 
his  companion  : — 

' '  Come,  sir  ;  why  are  we  here  and  idle  ?  are  not  yon  poor 
fellows  looking  up  to  us  for  advice  and  orders  how  to  proceed 
in  this  exigency  ?  Away,  away,  Mr.  Merry  ;  it  is  not  a  time 
to  be  drawing  figures  in  the  sand  with  your  dirk  ;  the  flood- 
tide  will  soon  be  in,  and  we  may  be  glad  to  hide  our  heads 
in  some  cavern  among  these  rocks.  Let  us  be  stirring,  sir, 
while  we  have  the  sun,  and  muster  enough  food  and  arms  to 
keep  life  in  us,  and  our  enemies  off  us,  until  we  can  once 
more  get  afloat. ' ' 

The  wondering  boy,  whose  experience  had  not  yet  taught 
him  to  appreciate  the  reaction  of  the  passions,  started  at  this 
unexpected  summons  to  his  duty,  and  followed  Barnstable 
towards  the  group  of  distant  seamen.  The  lieutenant,  who 
was  instantly  conscious  how  far  pride  had  rendered  him 
unjust,  soon  moderated  his  long  strides,  and  continued  in 
milder  tones,  which  were  quickly  converted  into  his  usual 
frank  communications,  though  they  still  remained  tinged 
with  a  melancholy  that  time  only  could  entirely  remove, — 

"  We  have  been  unlucky,  Mr.  Merry,  but  we  need  not  de- 
spair ;  these  lads  have  gotten  together  abundance  of  supplies, 
I  see  ;  and,  with  our  arms,  we  can  easily  make  ourselves  mas- 
ters of  some  of  the  enemy's  smaller  craft,  and  find  our  way 
back  to  the  frigate,  when  this  gale  has  blown  itself  out.  We 
must  keep  ourselves  close,  though,  or  we  shall  have  the  red- 
coats coming  down  upon  us,  like  so  many  sharks  around  a 
wreck.  Ah  !  God  bless  her.  Merry  !  there  is  not  such  a  sight 
to  be  seen  on  the  whole  beach  as  two  of  her  planks  holding 
together. ' ' 

The  midshipman,  without  adverting  to  this  sudden  allu- 
sion to  their  vessel,  prudently  pursued  the  train  of  ideas  in 
which  his  commander  had  started 


302 


TOe  pilot 


There  is  an  opening  in  the  country,  but  a  short  distance 
south  of  us,  where  a  brook  empties  into  the  sea,"  he  said. 
' '  We  might  find  a  cover  in  it,  or  in  the  wood  above,  into 
which  it  leads,  until  we  can  have  a  survey  of  the  coast,  or 
can  seize  some  vessel  to  carry  us  off." 

' '  There  would  be  a  satisfaction  in  waiting  till  the  morn- 
ing watch,  and  then  carrying  that  accursed  battery,  which 
took  off  the  better  leg  of  the  poor  Ariel  !  "  said  the  lieu- 
tenant ;  "  the  thing  might  be  done,  boy,  and  we  could  hold 
the  work,  too,  until  the  Alacrity  and  the  frigate  draw  in  to 
land." 

' '  If  you  prefer  storming  works  to  boarding  vessels,  there 
is  a  fortress  of  stone,  Mr.  Barnstable,  which  lies  directly  on 
our  beam.  I  could  see  it  through  the  haze,  when  I  was  on 
the  cliffs,  stationing  the  lookout — and — ' ' 

* '  And  what,  boy  ?  speak  without  a  fear ;  this  is  a  time 
for  free  consultation." 

"  Why,  sir,  the  garrison  might  not  all  be  hostile — we 
should  liberate  Mr.  Griffith  and  the  marines  ;  besides — ' ' 

'  *  Besides  what,  sir  ?  " 

"I  should  have  an  opportunity,  perhaps,  of  seeing  my 
cousin  Cecilia,  and  my  cousin  Katherine." 

The  countenance  of  Barnstable  grew  animated  as  he  list- 
ened, and  he  answered  with  something  of  his  usual  cheer- 
ful manner, — 

''Ay,  that,  indeed,  would  be  a  work  worth  carrying! 
and  the  rescuing  of  our  shipmates,  and  the  marines,  would 
read  like  a  thing  of  military  discretion — ha  !  hoy  !  all  the 
rest  would  be  incidental,  younker ;  like  the  capture  of  the 
fleet,  after  you  have  whipped  the  convoy." 

I  do  suppose,  sir,  that  if  the  Abbey  be  taken.  Colonel 
Howard  will  own  himself  a  prisoner  of  war." 

And  Colonel  Howard's  wards  !  now  there  is  good  sense 
in  this  scheme  of  thine,  Master  Merry,  and  I  .will  give  it 
proper  reflection.  But  here  are  our  poor  fellows  ;  speak 
cheeringly  to  them,  sir,  that  we  may  hold  them  in  temper 
for  our  enterprise." 

Barnstable  and  the  midshipman  joined  their  shipwrecked 
companions,  with  an  air  of  authority  which  is  seldom 


Ube  pilot 


wanting  between  the  superior  and  the  inferior,  in  nautical 
intercourse,  but  at  the  same  time  with  a  kindness  of  speech 
and  looks,  that  might  have  been  a  little  increased  by  their 
critical  situation.  After  partaking  of  the  food  which  had 
been  selected  from  among  the  fragments  that  still  lay  scat- 
tered, for  more  than  a  mile,  along  the  beach,  the  lieutenant 
directed  the  seamen  to  arm  themselves  with  such  weapons 
as  offered,  and  also  to  make  sufficient  provision,  from  the 
schooner's  stores,  to  last  them  for  four-and-twenty  hours 
longer.  These  orders  were  soon  executed  ;  and  the  whole 
party,  led  by  Barnstable  and  Merry,  proceeded  along  the 
foot  of  the  cliffs,  in  quest  of  the  opening  in  the  rocks, 
through  which  the  little  rivulet  found  a  passage  to  the 
ocean.  The  weather  contributed,  as  much  as  the  seclusion 
of  the  spot,  to  prevent  any  discovery  of  the  small  party, 
which  pursued  its  object  with  a  disregard  of  caution  that 
might,  under  other  circumstances,  have  proved  fatal  to  its 
safety.  Barnstable  paused  in  his  march  when  they  had  all 
entered  the  deep  ravine,  and  ascended  nearly  to  the  brow  of 
the  precipice,  that  formed  one  of  its  sides,  to  take  a  last 
and  more  scrutinizing  survey  of  the  sea.  His  countenance 
exhibited  the  abandonment  of  all  hope,  as  his  eye  moved 
slowly  from  the  northern  to  the  southern  boundary  of  the 
horizon,  and  he  prepared  to  pursue  his  march,  by  moving, 
reluctantly,  up  the  stream,  when  the  boy,  who  still  clung  to 
his  side,  exclaimed  joyously, — 

* '  Sail  ho  !    It  must  be  the  frigate  in  the  offing  ! ' ' 

*  *  A  sail  ! ' '  repeated  his  commander  ;  * '  whereawaj^  do 
you  see  a  sail  in  this  tempest  ?  Can  there  be  another  as 
hardy  and  unfortunate  as  ourselves  !  " 

"lyook  to  the  starboard  hand  of  the  point  of  rock  to 
windward  !  ' '  cried  the  boy  ;  * '  now  you  lose  it — ah  !  now 
the  sun  falls  upon  it  !  't  is  a  sail,  sir,  as  sure  as  canvas  can 
be  spread  in  such  a  gale  ! ' ' 

see  what  you  mean,"  returned  the  other,  ''but  it 
seems  a  gull,  skimming  the  sea  !  nay,  now  it  rises,  indeed, 
and  shows  itself  like  a  bellying  topsail ;  pass  up  that  glass, 
lads  ;  here  is  a  fellow  in  the  offing  who  may  prove  a  friend." 

Merry  waited  the  result  of  the  lieutenant's  examination 


304 


Ubc  mot 


with  youthful  impr.tience,  and  did  not  fail  to  ask  imme« 

diately, — 

Can  you  make  it  out,  sir  ?  is  it  the  ship  or  the  cutter?  '* 
Come,  there  seemeth  yet  some  hope  left  for  us,  boy,'* 
returned  Barnstable,  closing  the  glass  ;  " 't  is  a  ship  lying- 
to  under  her  main-topsail.  If  one  might  but  dare  to  show 
himself  on  these  heights,  he  would  raise  her  hull,  and  make 
sure  of  her  character  !  But  I  think  I  know  her  spars, 
though  even  her  topsail  dips,  at  times,  when  there  is  noth- 
ing to  be  seen  but  her  bare  poles  ;  and  they  shortened  by 
her  topgallant-masts." 

' '  One  would  swear, ' '  said  Merry,  laughing,  as  much 
through  the  excitement  produced  by  this  intelligence,  as  at 
his  conceit,  that  Captain  Munson  would  never  carry  wood 
aloft,  when  he  can't  carry  canvas.  I  remember,  one  night, 
Mr.  Griffith  was  a  little  vexed,  and  said,  around  the  capstan, 
he  believed  the  next  order  would  be,  to  rig  in  the  bowsprit, 
and  house  lower-masts  !  ' ' 

'*Ay,  ay,  Griffith  is  a  lazy  dog,  and  sometimes  gets 
lost  in  the  fogs  of  his  own  thoughts,"  said  Barnstable; 
' '  and  I  suppose  old  Moderate  was  in  a  breeze.  However, 
this  looks  as  if  he  were  in  earnest ;  he  must  have  kept  the 
ship  away,  or  she  would  never  have  been  where  she  is  ;  I 
do  verily  believe  the  old  gentleman  remembers  that  he  has 
a  few  of  his  officers  and  men  on  this  accursed  island.  This 
is  well,  Merry  ;  for  should  we  take  the  Abbey,  we  have  a 
place  at  hand  in  which  to  put  our  prisoners." 

"We  must  have  patience  till  the  morning,"  added  the 
boy,  ' '  for  no  boat  would  attempt  to  land  in  such  a  sea. ' ' 

' '  No  boat  could  land  !  The  best  boat  that  ever  floated, 
boy,  has  sunk  in  these  breakers  !  But  the  wind  lessens,  and 
before  morning  the  sea  will  fall.  I^et  us  on,  and  find  a 
berth  for  our  poor  lads,  where  they  can  be  made  more  com- 
fortable." 

The  two  officers  now  descended  from  their  elevation,  and 
led  the  way  still  farther  up  the  deep  and  narrow  dell,  until, 
as  the  ground  rose  gradually  before  them,  they  found  them< 
selves  in  a  dense  wood,  on  a  level  with  the  adjacent  country. 

' '  Here  should  be  a  ruin  at  hand,  if  I  have  a  true  reckoning, 


Ube  pilot 


and  know  my  courses  and  distances,"  said  Barnstable  ;  "I 
have  a  chart  about  me  that  speaks  of  such  a  landmark." 

The  lieutenant  turned  away  from  the  laughing  expression 
of  the  boy's  eye,  as  the  latter  archly  inquired, — 

"Was  it  made  by  one  who  knows  the  coast  well,  sir?  or 
was  it  done  by  some  schoolboy,  to  learn  his  maps,  as  the  girls 
work  samplers  ? ' ' 

' '  Come,  younker,  no  sampler  of  your  impudence.  But 
look  ahead  ;  can  you  see  any  habitation  that  has  been  de- 
serted ? ' ' 

' '  Ay,  sir,  here  is  a  pile  of  stones  before  us,  that  looks  as 
dirty  and  ragged  as  if  it  was  a  soldier's  barrack  ;  can  this  be 
what  you  seek  ?  ' ' 

Faith,  this  has  been  a  whole  town  in  its  day  !  we  should 
call  it  a  city  in  America,  and  furnish  it  with  a  mayor,  alder- 
men, and  recorder  ;  you  might  stow  old  Faneuil  Hall  in  one 
of  its  lockers." 

With  this  sort  of  careless  dialogue,  which  Barnstable  en- 
gaged in,  that  his  men  might  discover  no  alteration  in  his 
manner,  they  approached  the  mouldering  walls  that  had 
proved  so  frail  a  protection  to  the  party  under  Griffith. 

A  short  time  was  passed  in  examining  the  premises,  when 
the  wearied  seamen  took  possession  of  one  of  the  dilapidated 
apartments,  and  disposed  themselves  to  seek  that  rest  of 
which  they  had  been  deprived  by  the  momentous  occur- 
rences of  the  past  night. 

Barnstable  waited  until  the  loud  breathing  of  the  seamen 
assured  him  that  they  slept,  when  he  aroused  the  drowsy 
boy,  who  was  fast  losing  his  senses  in  the  same  sort  of  ob' 
livion,  and  motioned  him  to  follow.  Merry  arose,  and  they 
stole  together  from  the  apartment,  with  guarded  steps,  and 
penetrated  more  deeply  into  the  gloomy  recesses  of  the 
place. 

so 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


"  I  permit  thee  to  be  Sosia  again." 

Dryden. 

WK  must  leave  the  two  adventurers  winding  their 
way  among  the  broken  piles,  and  venturing 
boldly  beneath  the  tottering  arches  of  the  ruin, 
to  accompany  the  reader,  at  the  same  hour, 
within  the  more  comfortable  walls  of  the  Abbey  ;  where,  it 
will  be  remembered,  Borroughclifife  was  left  in  a  condition 
of  very  equivocal  ease.  As  the  earth  had,  however,  in  the 
interval,  nearly  run  its  daily  round,  circumstances  had  inter- 
vened to  release  the  soldier  from  his  confinement — and  no 
one,  ignorant  of  the  fact,  would  read  in  the  careless  air  and 
smiling  visage  of  the  gentleman  who  was  now  seated  at  the 
hospitable  board  of  Colonel  Howard,  directing,  with  so  much 
discretion,  the  energies  of  his  masticators  to  the  delicacies  of 
the  feast,  that  those  foragers  of  nature  had  been  so  recently 
condemned,  for  four  long  hours,  to  the  mortification  of  dis- 
cussing the  barren  subject  of  his  own  sword-hilt.  Borrough- 
clifie,  however,  maintained  not  only  his  usual  post,  but  his 
well-earned  reputation  at  the  table,  with  his  ordinary  cool- 
ness of  demeanor  ;  though  at  times  there  were  fleeting  smiles 
that  crossed  his  military  aspect,  which  sufiSciently  indicated 
that  he  considered  the  matter  of  his  reflection  to  be  of  a  par- 
ticularly ludicrous  character.  In  the  young  man  who  sat  by 
his  side,  dressed  in  the  deep-bluejacket  of  a  seaman,  with 
the  fine  white  linen  of  his  collar  contrasting  strongly  with 
the  black  silk  handkerchief  that  was  tied  with  studied  negli- 
gence around  his  neck,  and  whose  easy  air  and  manner  con- 
trasted still  more  strongly  with  this  attire,  the  reader  will 

306 


XTbe  pilot 


307 


discover  Griffith.  The  captive  paid  much  less  devotion  to 
the  viands  than  his  neighbor,  though  he  affected  more  atten- 
tion to  the  business  of  the  table  than  he  actually  bestowed, 
with  a  sort  of  consciousness  that  it  would  relieve  the  blush- 
ing maiden  who  presided.  The  laughing  eyes  of  Katherine 
Plowden  were  glittering  by  the  side  of  the  mild  countenance 
of  Alice  Dunscombe,  and,  at  times,  were  fastened  in  droll  in- 
terest on  the  rigid  and  upright  exterior  that  Captain  Manual 
maintained,  directly  opposite  to  where  she  was  seated.  A 
chair  had  also  been  placed  for  Dillon — of  course  it  was 
vacant. 

"And  so,  BorroughclifFe,"  cried  Colonel  Howard,  with  a 
freedom  of  voice,  and  a  vivacity  in  his  air,  that  announced 
the  increasing  harmony  of  the  repast,  *  *  the  sea-dog  left  you 
nothing  to  chew  but  the  cud  of  your  resentment !  ' ' 

' '  That  and  my  sword-hilt, ' '  returned  the  immovable  re- 
cruiting officer.  ' '  Gentlemen,  I  know  not  how  your  Congress 
rewards  military  achievements  ;  but  if  that  worthy  fellow 
were  in  my  company,  he  should  have  a  halberd  within  a 
week — spurs  I  would  not  offer  him,  for  he  affects  to  spurn 
their  use." 

Griffith  smiled,  and  bowed  in  silence  to  the  liberal  compli- 
ment of  Borroughcliffe  ;  but  Manual  took  on  himself  the  task 
of  replying  : — 

Considering  the  drilling  the  man  has  received,  the  con- 
duct has  been  well  enough,  sir  ;  though  a  well-trained  soldier 
would  not  only  have  made  prisoners,  but  he  would  have 
secured  them." 

perceive,  my  good  comrade,  that  your  thoughts  are 
running  on  the  exchange,"  said  Borroughcliffe,  good- 
humoredly;  ''we  will  fill,  sir,  and,  by  permission  of  the 
ladies,  drink  to  a  speedy  restoration  of  rights  to  both  parties, 
— the  state  quo  ante  bellum  !  ' ' 

' '  With  all  my  heart ! ' '  cried  the  colonel ;  ' '  and  Cicely  and 
Miss  Katherine  will  pledge  the  sentiment  in  a  woman's  sip  ; 
will  ye  not,  my  fair  wards?  Mr.  Griffith,  I  honor  this  pro- 
position of  yours,  which  will  not  only  liberate  yourself,  but 
restore  to  us  my  kinsman,  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon.  Kit  had 
imagined  the  thing  well ;  ha  !   Borroughcliffe  !  't  was  in- 


3o8 


XTbe  pilot 


geniously  contrived,  but  the  fortune  of  war  interposed  itself 
to  his  success  ;  and  yet  it  is  a  deep  and  inexplicable  mystery 
to  me,  how  Kit  should  have  been  conveyed  from  the  Abbey 
with  so  little  noise,  and  without  raising  the  alarm." 

'  *  Christopher  is  a  man  who  understands  the  philosophy 
of  silence,  as  well  as  that  of  rhetoric,"  returned  Borrough- 
cliffe,  ' '  and  must  have  learned,  in  his  legal  studies,  that  it 
is  sometimes  necessary  to  conduct  matters  sud  silentio.  You 
smile  at  my  I^atin,  Miss  Plowden ;  but  really,  since  I  have 
become  an  inhabitant  of  this  monkish  abode,  my  little  learn- 
ing is  stimulated  to  unwonted  efforts — nay,  you  are  pleased 
to  be  yet  more  merry  !  I  used  the  language,  because  silence 
is  a  theme  in  which  you  ladies  take  but  little  pleasure." 

Katherine,  however,  disregarded  the  slight  piqile  that 
was  apparent  in  the  soldier's  manner ;  but,  after  following 
the  train  of  her  own  thoughts  in  silent  enjoyment  for  a  mo- 
ment longer,  she  seemed  to  yield  to  their  drollery,  and 
laughed  until  her  dark  eyes  flashed  with  merriment.  Cecilia 
did  not  assume  the  severe  gravity  with  which  she  sometimes 
endeavored  to  repress  what  she  thought  the  unseasonable 
mirth  of  her  cousin  ;  and  the  wondering  Grifiith  fancied, 
as  he  glanced  his  eye  from  one  to  the  other,  that  he  could 
discern  a  suppressed  smile  playing  among  the  composed 
features  of  Alice  Dunscombe.  Katherine,  however,  soon 
succeeded  in  repressing  the  paroxysm,  and,  with  an  air  of 
infinitely  comic  gravity,  she  replied  to  the  remark  of  the 
soldier  :  — 

' '  I  think  I  have  heard  of  such  a  process  in  nautical  af- 
fairs as  towing  ;  but  I  must  appeal  to  Mr.  Grifiith  for  the 
correctness  of  the  term. ' ' 

"  You  could  not  speak  with  more  accuracy,"  returned  the 
young  sailor,  with  a  look  that  sent  the  conscious  blood  to 
the  temples  of  the  lady,  ''though  you  had  made  marine 
terms  your  study." 

' '  The  profession  requires  less  thought,  perhaps,  than  you 
imagine,  sir ;  but  is  this  towing  often  done,  as  Captain  Bor- 
roughclifie — I  beg  his  pardon — as  the  monks  have  it,  sub 
silentio  f  " 

** Spare  me,  fair  lady,"  cried  the  captain,  ''and  we  will 


TLbc  pilot 


309 


establish  a  compact  of  mutual  grace  ;  you  to  forgive  my 
learning,  and  I  to  suppress  my  suspicions. ' ' 

"Suspicions,  sir,  is  a  word  that  a  lady  must  defy." 

*  *  And  defiance  a  challenge  that  a  soldier  can  never  re- 
ceive ;  so  I  must  submit  to  talk  English,  though  the  fathers 
of  the  Church  were  my  companions.  I  suspect  that  Miss 
Plowden  has  it  in  her  power  to  explain  the  manner  of  Mr. 
Christopher  Dillon's  departure." 

The  lady  did  not  reply,  but  a  second  burst  of  merriment 
succeeded,  of  a  liveliness  and  duration  quite  equal  to  the 
former. 

* '  How  is  this  ?  ' '  exclaimed  the  colonel ;  ' '  permit  me  to 
say.  Miss  Plowden,  your  mirth  is  very  extraordinary  !  I 
trust  no  disrespect  has  been  offered  to  my  kinsman  ?  Mr. 
Griffith,  our  terms  are,  that  the  exchange  shall  only  be  made 
on  condition  that  equally  good  treatment  has  been  extended 
to  the  parties  !  ' ' 

'  *  If  Mr.  Dillon  can  complain  of  no  greater  evil  than  that 
of  being  laughed  at  by  Miss  Plowden,  sir,  he  has  reason  to 
call  himself  a  happy  fellow." 

' '  I  know  not,  sir  ;  God  forbid  that  I  should  forget  what 
is  due  to  my  guests,  gentlemen  !  but  ye  have  entered  my 
dwelling  as  foes  to  my  prince. ' ' 

"  But  not  to  Colonel  Howard,  sir." 

"  I  know  no  difference,  Mr.  Griffith.  King  George  or 
Colonel  Howard — Colonel  Howard  or  King  George.  Our 
feelings,  our  fortunes,  and  our  fate,  are  as  one ;  with  the 
mighty  odds  that  Providence  has  established  between  the 
prince  and  his  people  !  I  wish  no  other  fortune  than  to 
share,  at  an  humble  distance,  the  weal  or  woe  of  my  sovC' 
reign  !  " 

*  *  You  are  not  called  upon,  dear  sir,  to  do  either,  by  the 
thoughtlessness  of  us  ladies,"  said  Cecilia,  rising  ;  "  but  here 
comes  one  who  should  turn  our  thoughts  to  a  more  impor- 
tant subject — our  dress." 

Politeness  induced  Colonel  Howard,  who  both  loved  and 
respected  his  niece,  to  defer  his  remarks  to  another  time : 
and  Katherine,  springing  from  her  chair  with  childish  eager- 
ness, flew  to  the  side  of  her  cousin,  who  was  directing  a  ser- 


tTbe  pilot 


vant  that  had  announced  the  arrival  of  one  of  those  erratic 
venders  of  small  articles,  who  supply,  in  remote  districts  of 
the  countr>%  the  places  of  more  regular  traders,  to  show  the 
lad  into  the  dining-parlor.  The  repast  was  so  far  ended,  as 
to  render  this  interruption  less  objectionable ;  and  as  all 
felt  the  object  of  Cecilia  to  be  the  restoration  of  harmony, 
the  boy  was  ushered  into  the  room  without  further  delay. 
The  contents  of  his  small  basket,  consisting  chiefly  of 
essences,  and  the  smaller  articles  of  female  economy,  were 
playfully  displayed  on  the  table  by  Katherine,  who  declared 
herself  the  patroness  of  the  itinerant  youth,  and  who  laugh- 
ingly appealed  to  the  liberality  of  the  gentlemen  in  behalf 
of  her  protegi. 

' '  You  perceive,  my  dear  guardian,  that  the  boy  must  be 
loyal ;  for  he  offers,  here,  perfume  that  is  patronized  by  no 
less  than  two  royal  dukes.  Do  suffer  me  to  place  a  box  aside, 
for  your  especial  use  :  you  consent ;  I  see  it  in  your  eye. 
And,  Captain  Borroughclifife,  as  you  appear  to  be  forgetting 
the  use  of  your  own  language,  here  is  even  a  horn-book  for 
you  !  How  admirably  provided  he  seems  to  be  !  You 
must  have  had  St.  Ruth  in  view,  when  you  laid  in  your 
stock,  child?" 

"Yes,  my  lady,"  the  boy  replied,  with  a  bow  that  was 
studiously  awkward  ;  "  I  have  often  heard  of  the  grand  ladies 
that  dwell  in  the  old  Abbey,  and  I  have  journeyed  a  few 
miles  beyond  my  rounds,  to  gain  their  custom." 

* '  And  surely  they  cannot  disappoint  you.  Miss  Howard, 
that  is  a  palpable  hint  to  your  purse  ;  and  I  know  not  that 
even  Miss  Alice  can  escape  contribution,  in  these  trouble- 
some times.  Come,  aid  me,  child  ;  what  have  you  to  rec- 
ommend, in  particular,  to  the  favor  of  these  ladies  ? ' ' 

The  lad  approached  the  basket,  and  rummaged  its  contents, 
for  a  moment,  with  the  appearance  of  deep,  mercenary  in- 
terest ;  and  then,  without  lifting  his  hand  from  the  confusion 
he  had  caused,  he  said,  while  he  exhibited  something  within 
the  basket  to  the  view  of  his  smiling  observer, — 

"  This,  my  lady." 

Katherine  started,  and  glanced  her  eyes,  with  a  piercing 
look,  at  th€  countenance  of  the  boy,  and  then  turned  them 


tlbe  pilot 


3" 


uneasily  from  face  to  face,  with  conscious  timidity.  Cecilia 
had  effected  her  object,  and  had  resumed  her  seat  in  silent 
abstraction  ;  Alice  was  listening  to  the  remarks  of  Captain 
Manual  and  the  host,  as  they  discussed  the  propriety  of  cer- 
tain military  usages  ;  Griffith  seemed  to  hold  communion 
with  his  mistress,  by  imitating  her  silence ;  but  Katherine, 
in  her  stolen  glances,  met  the  keen  look  of  Borroughcliflfe, 
fastened  on  her  face,  in  a  manner  that  did  not  fail  instantly 
to  suspend  the  scrutiny. 

Come,  Cecilia,"  she  cried,  after  a  pause  of  a  moment, 
' '  we  trespass  too  long  on  the  patience  of  the  gentlemen  ; 
not  only  to  keep  possession  of  our  seats,  ten  minutes  after 
the  cloth  has  been  drawn  !  but  even  to  introduce  oin:  es- 
sences, and  tapes,  and  needles,  among  the  Madeira,  and — 
shall  I  add,  cigars,  colonel?" 

Not  while  we  are  favored  with  the  company  of  Miss 
Plowden,  certainly." 

"Come,  my  coz ;  I  perceive  the  colonel  is  growing  par- 
ticularly polite,  which  is  a  never-failing  sign  that  he  tires  of 
our  presence." 

Cecilia  rose,  and  was  leading  the  way  to  the  door,  when 
Katherine  turned  to  the  lad,  and  added, — 

You  can  follow  us  to  the  drawing-room,  child,  where  we 
can  make  our  purchases,  without  exposing  the  mystery  of 
our  toilets. ' ' 

"Miss  Plowden  has  forgotten  my  horn-book,  I  believe," 
said  Borroughcliffe,  advancing  from  the  standing  group 
who  surrounded  the  table ;  ' '  possibly  I  can  iSnd  some 
work,  in  the  basket  of  the  boy,  better  fitted  for  the  improve- 
ment of  a  grown-up  young  gentleman  than  this  elementary 
treatise." 

Cecilia,  observing  him  to  take  the  basket  from  the  lad, 
resumed  her  seat,  and  her  example  was  necessarily  followed 
by  Katherine  ;  though  not  without  some  manifest  indications 
of  vexation. 

Come  hither,  boy,  and  explain  the  use  of  your  wares. 
This  is  soap,  and  this  a  penknife,  I  know ;  but  what  name 
do  you  affix  to  this  ?  ' ' 

"That?  that  is  tape,"  returned  the  lad^  with  an  impa- 


312 


XTbe  pilot 


tience  that  might  very  naturally  be  attributed  to  the  inter- 
ruption that  was  thus  given  to  his  trade. 
And  this?" 

"That?"  repeated  the  stripling,  pausing,  with  a  hesita« 
tion  between  sulkiness  and  doubt ;  ' '  that  ? — ' ' 

Come,  this  is  a  little  ungallant !  "  cried  Katherine  ;  to 
keep  three  ladies  dying  with  impatience  to  possess  themselves 
of  their  finery,  while  you  detain  the  boy,  to  ask  the  name  of 
a  tambouring-needle  ! ' ' 

*  *  I  should  apologize  for  asking  questions  that  are  so  easily 
answered ;  but  perhaps  he  will  find  the  next  more  difficult 
to  solve,"  returned  Borroughcliffe,  placing  the  subject  of  his 
inquiries  in  the  palm  of  his  hand,  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
conceal  it  from  all  but  the  boy  and  himself.  ' '  This  has  a 
name  too  ;  what  is  it  ?  " 

"  That  ? — that — is  sometimes  called — white-line.'* 

"  Perhaps  you  mean  a  white  lie?  " 

"  How,  sir  !  "  exclaimed  the  lad,  a  little  fiercely,  "  a  lie  !  '* 
''Only  a  white  one,"  returned  the  captain.    ''What  do 

you  call  this,  Miss  Dunscombe?  " 

"We  call  it  bobbin,  sir,  generally,  in  the  north,"  said  the 

placid  Alice. 

"Ay,  bobbin  or  white-line;  they  are  the  same  thing,'* 
added  the  young  trader. 

"They  are?  I  think,  now,  for  a  professional  man,  yod 
know  but  little  of  the  terms  of  your  art,"  observed  Borrough- 
cliffe, with  an  affectation  of  irony  ;  "I  never  have  seen  a 
youth  of  your  years  who  knew  less.  What  names,  now, 
would  you  affix  to  this,  and  this,  and  this  ? ' ' 

While  the  captain  was  speaking,  he  drew  from  his  pockets 
the  several  instruments  that  the  cockswain  had  made  use  of 
the  preceding  night  to  secure  his  prisoner. 

"  That,"  exclaimed  the  lad,  with  the  eagerness  of  one  who 
would  vindicate  his  reputation,  ' '  is  ratlin-stuff ;  and  this  is 
marline  ;  and  that  is  sennit." 

"Enough,  enough,"  said  Borroughcliffe;  "you  have 
exhibited  sufficient  knowledge,  to  convince  mt  that  you  do 
know  something  of  your  trade,  and  nothing  of  these  articles. 
Mr.  Griffith,  do  you  claim  this  boy  ?  ' ' 


Ube  ipilot 


**I  believe  T  must,  sir,"  said  the  young  sea-oflScer,  who 
had  been  intently  listening  to  the  examination.  "  On  what- 
ever errand  you  have  now  ventured  here,  Mr.  Merry,  it  is 
useless  to  affect  further  concealment. ' ' 

"  Merry  !  "  exclaimed  Cecilia  Howard  ;  "is  it  you,  then, 
my  cousin?  are  you,  too,  fallen  into  the  power  of  your 
enemies  !  was  it  not  enough  that — " 

The  young  lady  recovered  her  recollection  in  time  to 
suppress  the  remainder  of  the  sentence,  though  the  grateful 
expression  of  Griffith's  eye  sufficiently  indicated  that  he 
had,  in  his  thoughts,  filled  the  sentence  with  expressions 
abundantly  flattering  to  his  own  feelings. 

"  How  's  this,  again  !  "  cried  the  colonel ;  "  my  two  wards 
embracing  and  fondling  a  vagrant,  vagabond  pedlar,  before 
my  eyes !  is  this  treason,  Mr.  Griffith  ?  or  what  means  the 
extraordinary  visit  of  this  young  gentleman  ?  ' ' 

"Is  it  extraordinary,  sir, ' '  said  Merry  himself,  losing  his 
assumed  awkwardness,  in  the  ease  and  confidence  of  one 
whose  faculties  had  been  early  exercised,  ' '  that  a  boy,  like 
myself,  destitute  of  mother  and  sisters,  should  take  a  like 
risk  on  himself,  to  visit  the  only  two  female  relatives  he  has 
in  the  world  ?  ' ' 

"Why  this  disguise,  then?  surely,  young  gentleman,  it 
was  unnecessary  to  enter  the  dwelling  of  old  George  How- 
ard, on  such  an  errand,  clandestinely,  even  though  your 
tender  years  have  been  practised  on,  to  lead  you  astray 
from  your  allegiance.  Mr.  Griffith  and  Captain  Manual 
must  pardon  me,  if  I  express  sentiments,  at  my  own  table, 
that  they  may  find  unpleasant ;  but  this  business  requires 
us  to  be  explicit." 

**  The  hospitality  of  Colonel  Howard  is  unquestionable," 
returned  the  boy  ;  * '  but  he  has  a  great  reputation  for  his 
loyalty  to  the  crown." 

"Ay,  young  gentleman  ;  and,  I  trust  with  some  justice." 

"  Would  it,  then,  be  safe  to  intrust  my  person  in  the  hands 
of  one  who  might  think  it  his  duty  to  detain  me  ? ' ' 

"  This  is  plausible  enough.  Captain  Borroughclifie,  and  I 
doubt  not  the  boy  speaks  with  candor.  I  would,  now,  that 
my  kinsman,  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon,  were  here,  that  I 


3^4 


Ubc  pilot 


might  learn  if  it  would  be  misprision  of  treason  to  permit 
this  youth  to  depart,  unmolested,  and  without  exchange  ? ' ' 

^'Inquire  of  the  young  gentleman,  after  the  Cacique," 
returned  the  recruiting  officer,  who,  apparently  satisfied  in 
producing  the  exposure  of  Merry,  had  resumed  his  seat  at 
the  table;  "perhaps  he  is,  in  verity,  an  ambassador,  em- 
powered to  treat  on  behalf  of  his  highness. ' ' 

' '  How  say  you  ?  ' '  demanded  the  colonel ;  "  do  you  know 
anything  of  my  kinsman  ?  " 

The  anxious  eyes  of  the  whole  party  were  fastened  on  the 
boy  for  many  moments,  witnessing  the  sudden  change  from 
careless  freedom  to  deep  horror  expressed  in  his  countenance. 
At  length  he  uttered,  in  an  undertone,  the  secret  of  Dillon's 
fate. 

"  Heis  dead." 

*  *  Dead  ! ' '  repeated  every  voice  in  the  room. 

"Yes,  dead  !  "  said  the  boy,  gazing  at  the  pallid  faces  of 
those  who  surrounded  him. 

A  long  and  fearful  silence  succeeded  the  announcement 
of  this  intelligence,  which  was  only  interrupted  by  Griffith, 
who  said, — 

' '  Explain  the  manner  of  his  death,  sir,  and  where  his  body 
lies." 

* '  His  body  lies  interred  in  the  sands, ' '  returned  Merry, 
with  a  deliberation  that  proceeded  from  an  opening  percep- 
tion, that  if  he  uttered  too  much,  he  might  betray  the  loss 
of  the  Ariel,  and,  consequently,  endanger  the  liberty  of 
Barnstable. 

**  In  the  sands?  "  was  echoed  from  every  part  of  the  room. 

*' Ay,  in  the  sands ;  but  how  he  died,  I  cannot  explain." 
He  has  been  murdered!"  exclaimed  Colonel  Howard, 
whose  command  of  utterance  was  now  amply  restored  to 
him  ;  ' '  he  has  been  treacherously,  and  dastardly,  and  basely 
murdered  ! ' ' 

"  He  has  nof  been  murdered,"  said  the  boy,  firmly  ;  "  no/ 
did  he  meet  his  death  among  those  who  deserve  the  name 
either  of  traitors  or  of  dastards. ' ' 

'  *  Said  you  not  that  he  was  dead  ?  that  my  kinsman  was 
buried  in  the  sands  of  the  sea-shore  ?  ' ' 


Ube  pilot 


315 


"Both  are  true,  sir — " 
And  you  refuse  to  explain  how  he  met  his  death,  and 
why  he  has  been  thus  ignominiously  interred  ? ' ' 

"  He  received  his  interment  by  my  orders,  sir  ;  and  if  there 
be  ignominy  about  his  grave,  his  own  acts  have  heaped  it 
on  him.  As  to  the  manner  of  his  death,  I  cannot,  and  will 
not  speak. ' ' 

Be  calm,  my  cousin,"  said  Cecilia,  in  an  imploring 
voice ;  ' '  respect  the  age  of  my  uncle,  and  remember  his 
strong  attachment  to  Mr.  Dillon." 

The  veteran  had,  however,  so  far  mastered  his  feelings, 
as  to  continue  the  dialogue  with  more  recollection. 

"  Mr.  Griffith,"  he  said,  *'  I  shall  not  act  hastily — you  and 
your  companion  will  be  pleased  to  retire  to  your  several 
apartments.  I  will  so  far  respect  the  son  of  my  brother 
Harry's  friend  as  to  believe  your  parole  will  be  sacred.  Go, 
gentlemen  ;  you  are  unguarded." 

The  two  prisoners  bowed  low  to  the  ladies  and  their  host, 
and  retired.  Griffith,  however,  lingered  a  moment  on  the 
threshold,  to  say — 

' '  Colonel  Howard,  I  leave  the  boy  to  your  kindness  and 
consideration.  I  know  you  will  not  forget  that  his  blood 
mingles  with  that  of  one  who  is  most  dear  to  you." 

"Enough,  enough,  sir,"  said  the  veteran,  waving  his 
hand  to  him  to  retire  ;  * '  and  you,  ladies  ;  this  is  not  a  place 
for  you,  either." 

"  Never  will  I  quit  this  child,"  said  Katherijie,  while 
such  a  horrid  imputation  lies  on  him.  Colonel  Howard,  act 
your  pleasure  on  us  both,  for  I  suppose  you  have  the  power ; 
but  his  fate  shall  be  my  fate." 

"There  is,  I  trust,  some  misconception  in  this  melan- 
choly affair, ' '  said  Borroughcliffe,  advancing  into  the  centre 
of  the  agitated  group  ;  ' '  and  I  should  hope,  by  calmness  and 
moderation,  all  may  yet  be  explained  :  young  gentleman, 
you  have  borne  arms,  and  must  know,  notwithstanding  your 
youth,  what  it  is  to  be  in  the  power  of  your  enemies  ?  ' ' 

Never  !  "  returned  the  proud  boy  ;  "  I  am  a  captive  foi 
the  first  time." 

"  I  speak,  sir,  in  reference  to  our  power." 


3i6 


XTbe  pilot 


* '  You  may  order  me  to  a  dungeon  ;  or,  as  I  have  entered 
the  Abbey  in  disguise,  possibly  to  a  gibbet." 

* '  And  is  that  a  fate  to  be  met  so  calmly  by  one  so  young  ?' ' 

"  You  dare  not  do  it,  Captain  Borroughcliffe,"  cried  Kath- 
erine,  involuntarily  throwing  an  arm  around  the  boy,  as  if 
to  shield  him  from  harm  ;  ' '  you  would  blush  to  think  of 
such  a  cold-blooded  act  of  vengeance.  Colonel  Howard." 

* '  If  we  could  examine  the  young  man,  where  the  warmth 
of  feeling,  which  these  ladies  exhibit,  might  not  be  excited." 
said  the  captain,  apart  to  his  host,  we  w(5uld  gain  impor- 
tant intelligence. ' ' 

*'Miss  Howard,  and  you,  Miss  Plowden,"  said  the  vet- 
eran, in  a  manner  that  long  habit  had  taught  his  wards  to 
respect,  ' '  your  young  kinsman  is  not  in  the  keeping  of  sava- 
ges, and  you  can  safely  confide  him  to  my  custody.  I  am 
sorry  that  we  have  so  long  kept  Miss  Alice  standing,  but  she 
will  find  relief  on  the  couches  of  your  drawing-room,  Cecilia." 

Cecilia  and  Katherine  permitted  themselves  to  be  con- 
ducted to  the  door,  by  their  polite  but  determined  guardian, 
where  he  bowed  to  their  retiring  persons,  with  the  exceed- 
ing courtesy  that  he  never  failed  to  use,  when  in  the  least 
excited. 

*'You  appear  to  know  your  danger,  Mr.  Merry,"  said 
Borroughcliffe,  after  the  door  was  closed  ;  I  trust  you  also 
know  what  duty  would  dictate  to  one  in  my  situation." 

*'Do  it,  sir,"  returned  the  boy;  "  you  have  a  king  to 
render  an  account  to,  and  I  have  a  country." 

"  I  may  have  a  country  also,"  said  Borroughcliffe,  with  a 
calmness  that  w^as  not  in  the  least  disturbed  by  the  taunting 
air  with  which  the  youth  delivered  himself.  "  It  is  possible 
for  me,  however,  to  be  lenient,  even  merciful,  when  the  inter- 
ests of  that  prince,  to  whom  you  allude,  are  served ;  you 
came  not  on  this  enterprise  alone,  sir  ?  " 

*'Had  I  come  better  attended,  Captain  Borroughclifie 
might  have  heard  these  questions  instead  of  putting  them." 

"  I  am  happy,  sir,  that  your  retinue  has  been  so  small  ;  and 
yet,  even  the  rebel  schooner  called  the  Ariel  might  have 
furnivshed  you  with  a  more  becoming  attendance.  I  cannot 
but  think  you  are  not  far  distant  from  your  friends." 


Ube  pilot 


317 


"He  is  near  his  enemies,  your  honor,"  said  Sergeant 
Drill,  who  had  entered  the  room  unobserved  ;  "  for  here  is  a 
boy  who  says  he  has  been  seized  in  the  old  ruin,  and  robbed 
of  his  goods  and  clothes  ;  and  by  his  description,  this  lad 
should  be  the  thief." 

Borroughcliffe  signed  to  the  boy,  who  stood  in  the  back- 
ground, to  advance ;  and  he  was  instantly  obeyed,  with  all 
that  eagerness  which  a  sense  of  injury  on  the  part  of  the 
sufferer  could  excite.  The  tale  of  this  unexpected  intruder 
was  soon  told,  and  was  briefly  this  : — 

He  had  been  assaulted  by  a  man  and  a  boy  (the  latter 
was  in  presence),  while  arranging  his  effects,  in  the  ruin, 
preparatory  to  exhibiting  them  to  the  ladies  of  the  Abbey, 
and  had  been  robbed  of  such  part  of  his  attire  as  the  boy 
had  found  necessary  for  his  disguise,  together  with  his  basket 
of  valuables.  He  had  been  put  into  an  apartment  of  an 
old  tower,  by  the  man,  for  safe  keeping ;  but  as  the  latter 
frequently  ascended  to  its  turret,  to  survey  the  country,  he 
had  availed  himself  of  this  remissness,  to  escape  :  and,  to 
conclude,  he  demanded  a  restoration  of  his  property,  and 
vengeance  for  his  wrongs. 

Merry  heard  his  loud  and  angry  details  with  scornful  com- 
posure, and  before  the  offended  pedlar  was  through  his  nar- 
rative, had  divested  himself  of  the  borrowed  garments,  which 
he  threw  to  the  other  with  singular  disdain. 

"We  are  beleaguered,  mine  host!  beset!  besieged!" 
cried  Borroughcliffe,  when  the  other  had  ended.  *  *  Here 
is  a  rare  plan  to  rob  us  of  our  laurels  !  ay,  and  of  our  re- 
wards !  but,  harkye.  Drill !  they  have  old  soldiers  to  deal 
with,  and  we  shall  look  into  the  matter.  One  would  wish 
to  triumph  on  foot ;  you  understand  me  ? — there  was  no 
horse  in  the  battle.  Go,  fellow,  I  see  you  grow  wiser  ;  take 
this  yoimg  gentleman — and  remember  he  is  a  young  gentle- 
man— put  him  in  safe  keeping,  but  see  him  supplied  with 
all  he  wants." 

Borroughcliffe  bowed  politely  to  the  haughty  bend  of  the 
body  with  which  Merry,  who  now  began  to  think  himself  a 
martyr  to  his  country,  followed  the  orderly  from  the  room. 
There  is  mettle  in  the  lad ! ' '  exclaimed  the  captain  ; 


3i8 


XTbe  pilot 


"  and  if  lie  live  to  get  a  beard,  'twill  be  a  hardy  dog  who 
ventures  to  pluck  it.  I  am  glad,  mine  host,  that  this  '  wan- 
dering Jew'  has  arrived,  to  save  the  poor  fellow's  feelings, 
for  I  detest  tampering  with  such  a  noble  spirit.  I  saw,  by 
his  eye,  that  he  had  squinted  oftener  over  a  gun,  than 
through  a  needle  ! ' ' 

"But  they  have  murdered  my  kinsman  ! — the  loyal,  the 
learned,  the  ingenious  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon  !  " 

"  If  they  have  done  so,  they  shall  be  made  to  answer  it," 
said  Borroughcliflfe,  reseating  himself  at  the  table,  with  a 
coolness  that  furnished  an  ample  pledge  of  the  impartiality 
of  his  judgment ;  "but  let  us  learn  the  facts,  before  we  do 
aught  hastily." 

Colonel  Howard  was  fain  to  comply  with  so  reasonable  a 
proposition,  and  he  resumed  his  chair,  while  his  companion 
proceeded  to  institute  a  close  examination  of  the  pedlar  boy. 

We  shall  defer,  until  the  proper  time  may  arrive,  record- 
ing the  result  of  his  inquiries  ;  but  shall  so  far  satisfy  the 
curiosity  of  our  readers  as  to  tell  them,  that  the  captain 
learned  sufficient  to  convince  him  a  very  serious  attempt 
was  meditated  on  the  Abbey ;  and,  as  he  thought,  enough, 
also  to  enable  him  to  avert  the  danger. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


•*  I  have  not  seen 
Bo  likely  an  ambassador  of  love." 

Merchant  of  Venice. 

CKCIIylA  and  Katherine  separated  from  Alice  Duns- 
combe  in  the  lower  gallery  of  the  cloisters ;  and 
the  cousins  ascended  to  the  apartment  which  was 
assigned  them  as  a  dressing-room.  The  intensity 
of  feeling  that  was  gradually  accumulating  in  the  breasts  of 
the  ladies,  as  circumstances  brought  those  in  whom  their 
deepest  interests  were  centred  into  situations  of  extreme 
delicacy,  if  not  of  actual  danger,  perhaps,  in  some  measure, 
prevented  them  from  experiencing  all  that  concern  which 
the  detection  and  arrest  of  Merry  might  be  supposed  to 
excite.  The  boy,  like  themselves,  was  an  only  child  of  one 
of  those  three  sisters,  who  caused  the  close  connection  of  so 
many  of  our  characters;  and  his  tender  years  had  led  his 
cousins  to  regard  him  with  an  affection  that  exceeded  the 
ordinary  interest  of  such  an  affinity  ;  but  they  knew,  that  in 
the  hands  of  Colonel  Howard  his  person  was  safe,  though 
his  liberty  might  be  endangered.  When  the  first  emotions, 
therefore,  which  were  created  by  his  sudden  appearance 
after  so  long  an  absence,  had  subsided,  their  thoughts  were 
rather  occupied  by  the  consideration  of  what  consequences 
to  others  might  proceed  from  his  arrest,  than  by  any  reflec- 
tions on  the  midshipman's  actual  condition.  Secluded  from 
the  observations  of  any  strange  eyes,  the  two  maidens  in- 
dulged their  feelings,  without  restraint,  according  to  their 
several  temperaments.  Katherine  moved  to  and  fro  in  the 
apartment,  with  feverish  anxiety,  while  Miss  Howard,  by 


320 


XTbe  pilot 


concealing  her  countenance  under  the  ringlets  of  her  luxuri- 
ant, dark  hair,  and  shading  her  eyes  with  a  fair  hand,  seemed 
to  be  willing  to  commune  with  her  thoughts  more  quietly. 

' '  Barnstable  cannot  be  far  distant, ' '  said  the  former,  after 
a  few  minutes  had  passed  ;  '  *  for  he  never  would  have  sent 
that  child  on  such  an  errand,  by  himself ! ' ' 

Cecilia  raised  her  mild,  blue  eyes  to  the  countenance  of 
her  cousin,  as  she  answered, — 

' '  All  thoughts  of  an  exchange  must  now  be  abandoned  ; 
and  perhaps  the  persons  of  the  prisoners  will  be  held  as 
pledges,  to  answer  for  the  life  of  Dillon." 

* '  Can  the  wretch  be  dead  ?  or  is  it  merely  a  threat,  or 
some  device  of  that  urchin  ?  he  is  a  forward  child,  and 
would  not  hesitate  to  speak  and  act  boldly,  on  emergency." 

"  He  is  dead  !  "  returned  Cecilia,  veiling  her  face  again, 
in  horror ;  ' '  the  eyes  of  the  boy,  his  whole  countenance, 
confirmed  his  words  !  I  fear,  Katherine,  that  Mr.  Barnsta- 
ble has  suffered  his  resentment  to  overcome  his  discretion, 
when  he  learned  the  treachery  of  Dillon  ;  surely,  surely, 
though  the  hard  usages  of  war  may  justify  so  dreadful  a 
revenge  on  an  enemy,  it  was  unkind  to  forget  the  condition 
of  his  own  friends  ! ' ' 

' '  Mr.  Barnstable  has  done  neither.  Miss  Howard, ' '  said 
Katherine,  checking  her  uneasy  footsteps,  her  light  form 
swelling  with  pride  ;  ' '  Mr.  Barnstable  is  equally  incapable 
of  murdering  an  enemy,  or  of  deserting  a  friend  ! ' ' 

*'  But  retaliation  is  neither  deemed  nor  called  murder,  by 
men  in  arms." 

"Think  it  what  you  will,  call  it  what  you  will,  Cecilia 
Howard,  I  will  pledge  my  life,  that  Richard  Barnstable  has 
to  answer  for  the  blood  of  none  but  the  open  enemies  of  his 
country." 

*  *  The  miserable  man  may  have  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  the 
anger  of  that  terrific  seaman,  who  led  him  hence  a  captive  1 ' ' 

**That  terrific  seaman.  Miss  Howard,  has  a  heart  as  ten- 
der as  your  own.    He  is — " 

* '  Nay,  Katherine, ' '  interrupted  Cecilia,  ' '  you  chide  me 
unkindly  ;  let  us  not  add  to  our  unavoidable  misery,  by 
such  harsh  contention. ' ' 


Ubc  pilot 


**I  do  not  contend  with  you,  Cecilia;  I  merely  defend 
the  absent  and  the  innocent  from  your  unkind  suspicions, 
my  cousin." 

''Say,  rather,  your  sister,"  returned  Miss  Howard,  their 
hands  involuntarily  closing  upon  each  other,  ' '  for  we  are 
surely  sisters  !  But  let  us  strive  to  think  of  something  less 
horrible.  Poor,  poor  Dillon  !  now  that  he  has  met  a  fate  so 
terrible,  I  can  even  fancy  him  less  artful  and  more  upright 
than  we  had  thought  him  !  You  agree  with  me,  Kather- 
ine,  I  see  by  your  countenance,  and  we  will  dwell  no  longer 
on  the  subject.    Katherine  !  my  cousin  Kate,  what  see  you  ? ' ' 

Miss  Plowden,  as  she  relinquished  her  pressure  of  the 
hand  of  Cecilia,  had  renewed  her  walk  with  a  more  regu- 
lated step  ;  but  she  was  yet  making  her  first  turn  across  the 
room,  when  her  eyes  became  keenly  set  on  the  opposite 
window,  and  her  whole  frame  was  held  in  an  attitude  of 
absorbed  attention.  The  rays  of  the  setting  sun  fell  bright 
upon  her  dark  glances,  which  seemed  fastened  on  some  dis- 
tant object,  and  gave  an  additional  glow  to  the  mantling 
color  that  was  slowly  stealing  across  her  cheeks  to  her 
temples.  Such  a  sudden  alteration  in  the  manner  and  ap- 
pearance of  her  companion  had  not  failed  to  catch  the  atten- 
tion  of  Cecilia,  who,  in  consequence,  interrupted  herself  by 
the  agitated  question  we  have  related.  Katherine  slowly 
beckoned  her  companion  to  her  side,  and,  pointing  in  the 
direction  of  the  wood  that  lay  in  view,  she  said — 

'  *  See  yon  tower,  in  the  ruin  !  Do  you  observe  those 
small  spots  of  pink  and  yellow  that  are  fluttering  above  its 
walls?" 

"I  do.  They  are  the  lingering  remnants  of  the  foliage 
of  some  tree  ;  but  they  want  the  vivid  tints  which  grace 
the  autumn  of  our  own  dear  America  ! ' ' 

''  One  is  the  work  of  God,  and  the  other  has  been  pro- 
duced by  the  art  of  man.  Cecilia,  those  are  no  leaves,  but 
they  are  my  own  childish  signals,  and  without  doubt  Barn- 
stable himself  is  on  that  ruined  tower.  Merry  cannot,  will 
not,  betray  him  ! ' ' 

' '  My  life  should  be  a  pledge  for  the  honor  of  oiu:  little 
cousin,"  said  Cecilia.    "  But  you  have  the  telescope  of  my 

21 


322 


trbe  iptlot 


uncle  at  hand,  ready  for  such  an  event !  one  look  through 
it  will  ascertain  the  truth — " 

Katherine  sprang  to  the  spot  where  the  instrument  stood, 
and  with  eager  hands  she  prepared  it  for  the  necessary 
observation. 

It  is  he  ! "  she  cried,  the  instant  her  eye  was  put  to  the 
glass.  **  I  even  see  his  head  above  the  stones.  How  un- 
thinking, to  expose  himself  so  unnecessarily  !  " 

' '  But  v^hat  says  he,  Katherine  ? ' '  exclaimed  Cecilia  ; 
**  you  alone  can  interpret  his  meaning." 

The  little  book  which  contained  the  explanations  of  Miss 
Plowden's  signals  was  now  hastily  produced,  and  its  leaves 
rapidly  run  over  in  quest  of  the  necessary  number. 

"  'T  is  only  a  question  to  gain  my  attention.  I  must  lei' 
him  know  he  is  observed." 

When  Katherine,  as  much  to  indulge  her  secret  propen- 
sities, as  with  any  hope  of  its  usefulness,  had  devised  this 
plan  for  communicating  with  Barnstable,  she  had,  luckily, 
not  forgotten  to  arrange  the  necessary  means  to  reply  to  his 
interrogatories.  A  very  simple  arrangement  of  some  of 
the  ornamental  cords  of  the  window-curtains  enabled  her  to 
effect  this  purpose ;  and  her  nimble  fingers  soon  fastened 
the  pieces  of  silk  to  the  lines,  which  were  now  thrown  into 
the  air,  when  these  signals  in  miniattne  were  instantly  dis- 
played in  the  breeze. 

**He  sees  them!"  cried  Cecilia,  and  is  preparing  to 
change  his  flags." 

"Keep  then  your  eye  pn  him,  my  cousin,  and  tell  me 
the  colors  that  he  shows,  with  their  order,  and  I  will  en- 
deavor to  read  his  meaning." 

"  He  is  as  expert  as  yourself !  There  are  two  more  of  them" 
fluttering  above  the  stones  again :  the  upper  is  white,  and 
the  lower  black." 

**  White  over  black,"  repeated  Katherine,  rapidly,  to  her- 
self, as  she  turned  the  leaves  of  her  book.  * '  *  My  messenger : 
has  he  been  seen  f  *  To  that  we  must  answer  the  unhappy 
truth.  Here  it  is — yellow,  white,  and  red  :  '  He  is  a  pris- 
oner,^ How  fortunate  that  I  should  have  prepared  such  a 
question  and  answer.    What  says  he,  Cecilia,  to  thig  news  V* 


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323 


**  He  is  busy  making  his  changes,  dear.  Nay,  Katherine, 
you  shake  so  violently  as  to  move  the  glass  !  Now  he  is 
done  ;  't  is  yellow  over  black,  this  time." 

' '  '  Griffith,  or  who  ?  '  He  does  not  understand  us  ;  but  I 
had  thought  of  the  poor  boy,  in  making  out  the  numbers — 
ah  !  here  it  is  ;  yellow,  green,  and  red  :  'My  cousin  Merry.'* 
He  cannot  fail  to  understand  us  now. ' ' 

' '  He  has  already  taken  in  his  flags.  The  news  seems  to 
alarm  him,  for  he  is  less  expert  than  before.  He  shows  them 
now — they  are  green,  red,  and  yellow." 

"  The  question  is,  '  Am  I  safe  T  'T  is  that  which  made 
him  tardy.  Miss  Howard,"  continued  Katherine.  Barn- 
stable is  ever  slow  to  consult  his  safety.  But  how  shall  1 
answer  him  ?  should  we  mislead  him  now,  how  could  we 
ever  forgive  ourselves  ! ' ' 

*'0f  Andrew  Merry  there  is  no  fear,"  returned  Cecilia; 
*  *  and  I  think  if  Captain  Borroughclifife  had  any  intimation 
of  the  proximity  of  his  enemies,  he  would  not  continue  at  the 
table." 

"  He  will  stay  there  while  wine  will  sparkle,  and  man  can 
swallow,"  said  Katherine  ;  "  but  we  know  by  sad  experience, 
that  he  is  a  soldier  in  an  emergency  ;  and  yet,  I  '11  trust  to 
his  ignorance  this  time — here,  I  have  an  anwer :  *  You  are 
yet  safe,  but  be  wary.''  " 

' '  He  reads  your  meaning  with  a  quick  eye,  Katherine  ; 
and  he  is  ready  with  his  answer,  too :  he  shows  green  over 
white,  this  time.  Well !  do  you  not  hear  me  ?  't  is  green 
over  white.    Why,  you  are  dumb — what  says  he,  dear  ?  " 

Still  Katherine  answered  not,  and  her  cousin  raised  her 
eyes  from  the  glass,  an^d  beheld  her  companion  gazing 
earnestly  at  the  open  page,  while  the  glow  which  excitement 
had  before  brought  to  her  cheek  was  increased  to  a  still 
deeper  bloom. 

' '  I  hope  your  blushes  and  his  signals  are  not  ominous, 
Kate,"  added  Cecilia;  "can  green  imply  his  jealousy,  as 
white  does  your  purity  ?  what  says  he,  coz  ?  " 

He  talks,  like  ^^ourself,  much  nonsense,"  said  Katherine, 
turning  to  her  flags,  with  a  pettish  air,  that  was  singularly 
contradicted  by  her  gratified  coimtenance  ;  * '  but  the  situa- 


324 


Ubc  pilot 


tion  of  things  requires  that  I  should  talk  to  Barnstable  more 
freely." 

"  I  can  retire,"  said  Cecilia,  rising  from  her  chair  with  a 
grave  manner. 

"  Nay,  Cecilia,  I  do  not  deserve  these  looks, — 't  is  you 
who  exhibit  levity  now  !  But  you  can  perceive  for  yourself 
that  evening  is  closing  in,  and  that  some  other  medium  for 
conversation,  besides  the  eyes,  may  be  adopted.  Here  is  a 
signal,  which  will  answer  :  '  When  the  Abbey  clock  strikes  nine^ 
come  with  care  to  the  wicket  which  opens  at  the  east  side  of 
the  paddock^  on  the  road :  until  then^  keep  secret.^  I  had 
prepared  this  very  signal,  in  case  an  interview  should  be 
necessary." 

"Well,  he  sees  it,"  returned  Cecilia,  who  had  resumed 
her  place  by  the  telescope,  ' '  and  seems  disposed  to  obey  you, 
for  I  no  longer  discern  his  flags  or  his  person." 

Miss  Howard  now  arose  from  before  the  glass,  her  obser- 
vations being  ended  ;  but  Katherine  did  not  return  the 
instrument  to  its  corner,  without  fastening  one  long  and 
anxious  look  through  it  on  what  now  appeared  to  be  the 
deserted  tower.  The  interest  and  anxiety  produced  by  this 
short  and  imperfect  communication  between  Miss  Plowden 
and  her  lover,  did  not  fail  to  excite  reflections  in  both  the 
ladies,  that  furnished  materials  to  hold  them  in  earnest  dis- 
course, until  the  entrance  of  Alice  Dunscombe  announced 
that  their  presence  was  expected  below.  Even  the  unsus- 
pecting Alice,  on  entering,  observed  a  change  in  the  counte- 
nances and  demeanor  of  the  two  cousins,  which  betrayed 
that  their  secret  conference  had  not  been  entirely  without 
contention.  The  features  of  Cecilia  were  disturbed  and  anx- 
ious, and  their  expression  was  not  unlike  melancholy  ;  while 
the  dark  flashing  eye,  flushing  temples,  and  proud,  deter- 
mined step  of  Katherine  exhibited  in  an  equal,  if  not  a 
greater  degree,  a  very  different  emotion.  As  no  reference 
to  the  subject  of  their  conversation  was,  however,  made  by 
either  of  the  young  ladies,  after  the  entrance  of  Alice,  she 
led  the  way,  in  silence,  to  the  drawing-room. 

The  ladies  were  received,  by  Colonel  Howard  and  Bor- 
roughcliffe,  with  marked  attention.     In  the  former  there 


XTbe  pilot 


325 


were  moments  when  a  deep  gloom  would,  in  spite  of  his  very- 
obvious  exertions  to  the  contrary,  steal  over  his  open,  gen- 
erous countenance  ;  but  the  recruiting  officer  maintained  an 
air  of  immovable  coolness  and  composure.  Twenty  times 
did  he  detect  the  piercing  looks  of  Katherine  fastened  on  him, 
with  an  intentness  that  a  less  deliberate  man  might  have  had 
the  vanity  to  misinterpret ;  but  even  this  flattering  testi- 
monial of  his  power  to  attract  failed  to  disturb  his  self-pos- 
session. It  was  in  vain  that  Katherine  endeavored  to  read 
his  countenance,  where  everything  was  fixed  in  military 
rigidity,  though  his  deportment  appeared  more  than  usually 
easy  and  natural.  Tired  at  length  with  her  fruitless  scrutiny, 
the  excited  girl  turned  her  gaze  upon  the  clock  :  to  her 
amazement,  she  discovered  that  it  was  on  the  stroke  of  nine, 
and  disregarding  a  deprecating  glance  from  her  cousin,  she 
arose  and  quitted  the  apartment.  Borroughcliffe  opened  the 
door  for  her  exit,  and,  while  the  lady  civilly  bowed  her  head 
in  acknowledgment  of  his  attention,  their  eyes  once  more 
met ;  but  she  glided  quickly  by  him,  and  found  herself 
alone  in  the  gallery.  Katherine  hesitated,  more  than  a 
minute,  to  proceed,  for  she  thought  she  had  detected  in 
that  glance  a  lurking  expression,  that  manifested  conscious 
security  mingled  with  secret  design.  It  was  not  her  nature, 
however,  to  hesitate,  when  circumstances  required  that  she 
should  be  both  prompt  and  alert ;  and,  throwing  over  her 
slight  person  a  large  cloak,  that  was  in  readiness  for  the 
occasion,  she  stole  warily  from  the  building. 

Although  Katherine  suspected  most  painfully,  that  Bor- 
roughcliffe  had  received  intelligence  that  might  prove  dan- 
gerous to  her  lover,  she  looked  around  her  in  vain,  on 
gaining  the  open  air,  to  discover  any  alteration  in  the  ar- 
rangements of  the  defence  of  the  Abbey,  which  might  con- 
firm her  suspicions,  or  the  knowledge  of  which  might  enable 
her  to  instruct  Barnstable  how  to  avoid  the  secret  danger. 
Every  disposition  remained  as  it  had  been  since  the  capture 
of  Griffith  and  his  companion.  She  heard  the  heavy,  quick 
steps  of  the  sentinel,  who  was  posted  beneath  their  windows, 
endeavoring  to  warm  himself  on  his  confined  post ;  and  as 
she  paused  to  Hstea.  she  also  detected  the  rattling  of  arms 


326 


Ubc  pilot 


from  the  soldier,  who,  as  usual,  guarded  the  approach  of 
that  part  of  the  building  where  his  comrades  were  quartered. 
The  night  had  set  in  cloudy  and  dark,  although  the  gale  had 
greatly  subsided  towards  the  close  of  the  day  ;  still  the  wind 
swept  heavily,  and,  at  moments,  with  a  rushing  noise,  among 
the  irregular  walls  of  the  edifice  ;  and  it  required  the  utmost 
nicety  of  ear  to  distinguish  even  these  well-known  sounds, 
among  such  accompaniments.  When  Katherine,  however, 
was  satisfied  that  her  organs  had  not  deceived  her,  she 
turned  an  anxious  eye  in  the  direction  of  what  Borrough- 
cliffe  called  his  "barracks."  Everything  in  that  direction 
appeared  so  dark  and  still,  as  to  create  a  sensation  of  un- 
easiness, by  its  very  quiet.  It  might  be  the  silence  of  sleep 
that  now  pervaded  the  ordinarily  gay  and  mirthful  apart- 
ment !  or  it  might  be  the  stillness  of  a  fearful  preparation  ! 
There  was  no  time,  however,  for  further  hesitation,  and 
Katherine  drew  her  cloak  more  closely  about  her  form,  and 
proceeded  with  light  and  guarded  steps,  to  the  appointed 
spot.  As  she  approached  the  wicket,  the  clock  struck  the 
hour,  and  she  again  paused,  while  the  mournful  sounds  were 
borne  by  her  on  the  wind,  as  if  expecting  that  each  stroke 
of  the  bell  would  prove  a  signal  to  unmask  some  secret  de- 
sign of  Borroughcliffe.  As  the  last  vibration  melted  away, 
she  opened  the  little  gate,  and  issued  on  the  highway.  The 
figure  of  a  man  sprang  forward  from  behind  an  angle  of  the 
wall,  as  she  appeared  ;  and  while  her  heart  was  still  throb- 
bing with  the  suddenness  of  the  alarm,  she  found  herself  in 
the  arms  of  Barnstable.  After  the  first  few  words  of  recog- 
nition and  pleasure  which  the  young  sailor  uttered,  he 
acquainted  his  mistress  with  the  loss  of  his  schooner,  and 
the  situation  of  the  survivors. 

''And  now,  Katherine,"  he  concluded,  ''you  have  come, 
I  trust,  never  to  quit  me ;  or,  at  most,  to  return  no  more  to 
that  old  Abbey,  unless  it  be  to  aid  in  liberating  Grifiith,  and 
then  to  join  me  again  forever." 

"  Why,  truly,  there  is  so  much  to  tempt  a  young  woman 
to  renounce  her  home  and  friends,  in  the  description  you 
have  just  given  of  your  condition,  that  I  hardly  know  how 
to  refuse  your  request,  Barnstable.    You  are  very  tolerably 


Ubc  pilot 


327 


provided  with  a  dwelling  in  the  ruin  ;  and  I  suppose  certain 
predatory  schemes  are  to  be  adopted  to  make  it  habitable ! 
St.  Ruth  is  certainly  well  supplied  with  the  necessary  arti- 
cles, but  whether  we  should  not  be  shortly  removed  to  the 
Castle  at  York,  or  the  jail  at  Newcastle,  is  a  question  that 
I  put  to  your  discretion." 

"Why  jdeld  your  thoughts  to  such  silly  subjects,  lovely 
trifler  !  ' '  said  Barnstable,  ' '  when  the  time  and  the  occasion 
both  urge  us  to  be  in  earnest  ?  ' ' 

*'  It  is  a  woman's  province  to  be  thrifty,  and  to  look  after 
the  comforts  of  domestic  life,"  returned  his  mistress  ;  "  and 
I  would  discharge  my  functions  with  credit.  But  I  feel  you 
are  vexed,  for,  to  see  your  dark  countenance  is  out  of  the 
question,  on  such  a  night.  When  do  you  propose  to  com- 
mence housekeeping,  if  I  should  yield  to  your  proposals?  " 

' '  I  have  not  concluded  relating  my  plans,  and  your  pro- 
voking wit  annoys  me !  The  vessel  I  have  taken  will  un- 
questionably come  into  the  land,  as  the  gale  dies ;  and  I 
intend  making  my  escape  in  her,  after  beating  this  English- 
man, and  securing  the  liberty  of  Miss  Howard  and  yourself. 
I  could  see  the  frigate  in  the  offing,  even  before  we  left  the 
cHffs." 

"This  certainly  sounds  better  !  "  rejoined  Katherine,  in 
a  manner  that  indicated  she  was  musing  on  their  prospects  ; 
'  *  and  yet  there  may  exist  some  difficulties  in  the  way  that 
you  little  suspect." 

"  Difficulties  there  are  none — there  can  be  none." 

* '  Speak  not  irreverently  of  the  mazes  of  love,  Mr.  Barn- 
stable. When  was  it  ever  known  to  exist  unfettered  or  un- 
embarrassed ?  even  I  have  an  explanation  to  ask  of  you,  that 
I  would  much  rather  let  alone." 

"  Of  me  !  ask  what  you  will,  or  how  you  will ;  I  am  a 
careless,  unthinking  fellow,  Miss  Plowden  ;  but  to  you  I 
have  little  to  answer  for — unless  a  foolish  sort  of  adoration 
be  an  offence  against  your  merits." 

Barnstable  felt  the  little  hand  that  was  supported  on  his 
arm,  pressing  the  limb,  as  Katherine  replied,  in  a  tone  so 
changed  from  its  former  forced  levity,  that  he  started  as  the 
first  sounds  reached  his  ears.    * '  Merry  has  brought  in  a 


328 


Ubc  IPtlot 


horrid  report !  "  she  said  ;  I  would  I  could  believe  it  un- 
true !  but  the  looks  of  the  boy,  and  the  absence  of  Dillon, 
both  confirm  it." 

' '  Poor  Merry  !  he  too  has  fallen  into  the  trap  !  but  they 
shall  yet  find  one  who  is  too  cunning  for  them.  Is  it  to 
the  fate  of  that  wretched  Dillon  that  you  allude  ?  ' ' 

''He  was  a  wretch,"  continued  Katherine,  in  the  same 
voice,  ' '  and  he  deserved  much  punishment  at  your  hands, 
Barnstable  ;  but  life  is  the  gift  of  God,  and  is  not  to  be 
taken  whenever  human  vengeance  would  appear  to  require 
a  victim." 

'  *  His  life  was  taken  by  Him  who  bestowed  it, ' '  said  the 
sailor.  "Is  it  Katherine  Plowden  who  would  suspect  me 
of  the  deed  of  a  dastard  ?  ' ' 

''I  do  not  suspect  you — I  do  not  suspect  you,"  cried 
Katherine  ;  * '  I  will  never  suspect  any  evil  of  you  again. 
You  are  not,  you  cannot  be  angry  with  me,  Barnstable  ? 
Had  you  heard  the  cruel  suspicions  of  my  cousin  Cecilia, 
and  had  your  imagination  been  busy  in  portraying  your 
wrongs  and  the  temptations  to  forget  mercy,  like  mine,  even 
while  my  tongue  denied  your  agency  in  the  suspected  deed, 
you  would — you  would  at  least  have  learned  how  much 
easier  it  is  to  defend  those  we  love  against  the  open  attacks 
of  others,  than  against  our  own  jealous  feelings." 

"Those  words,  love  and  jealousy,  will  obtain  your  ac- 
quittal," cried  Barnstable,  in  his  natural  voice;  and,  after 
uttering  a  few  more  consoling  assurances  to  Katherine, 
whose  excited  feelings  found  vent  in  tears,  he  briefly  related 
the  manner  of  Dillon's  death. 

"  I  had  hoped  I  stood  higher  in  the  estimation  of  Miss 
Howard  than  to  be  subjected  to  even  her  suspicions,"  he 
said,  when  he  had  ended  his  explanation.  "Griffith  has 
been  but  a  sorry  representative  of  our  trade,  if  he  has  left 
such  an  opinion  of  its  pursuits. ' ' 

"  I  do  not  know  that  Mr.  Griffith  would  altogether  have 
escaped  my  conjectures,  had  he  been  the  disappointed  com- 
mander, and  you  the  prisoner,"  returned  Katherine  ;  "you 
know  not  how  much  we  have  both  studied  the  usages  of 
war,  and  with  what  dreadful  pictures  of  hostages,  retalia- 


XTbe  pilot 


329 


tions,  and  military  executions  our  minds  are  stored  !  but  a 
mountain  is  raised  off  my  spirits,  and  I  could  almost  say 
that  I  am  now  ready  to  descend  the  valley  of  life  in  your 
company." 

"  It  is  a  discreet  determination,  my  good  Katherine,  and 
God  bless  you  for  it ;  the  companion  may  not  be  so  good  as 
you  deserve,  but  you  will  find  him  ambitious  of  your  praise. 
Now  let  us  devise  means  to  effect  our  object." 

Therein  lies  another  of  my  difficulties.  Griffith,  I  much 
fear,  will  not  urge  Cecilia  to  another  flight,  against  her — her 
— what  shall  I  call  it,  Barnstable — her  caprice,  or  her  judg- 
ment ?  Cecilia  will  never  consent  to  desert  her  uncle,  and  I 
cannot  muster  the  courage  to  abandon  my  poor  cousin,  in 
the  face  of  the  world,  in  order  to  take  shelter  with  even  Mr. 
Richard  Barnstable  !  " 

"Speak  you  from  the  heart  now,  Katherine ? 

"Very  nearly — if  not  exactly." 

*  *  Then  have  I  been  cruelly  deceived  !  It  is  easier  to  find 
a  path  in  the  trackless  ocean,  without  chart  or  compass,  than 
to  know  the  windings  of  a  woman's  heart  !  " 

'  *  Nay,  nay,  foolish  man  ;  you  forget  that  I  am  but  small, 
and  how  very  near  my  head  is  to  my  heart ;  too  nigh,  I  fear, 
for  the  discretion  of  their  mistress  !  but  is  there  no  method 
of  forcing  Griffith  and  Cecilia  to  their  own  good,  without 
undue  violence  ?  ' ' 

"  It  cannot  be  done  ;  he  is  my  senior  in  rank,  and  the  in- 
stant I  release  him  he  will  claim  the  command.  A  question 
might  be  raised,  at  a  leisure  moment,  on  the  merits  of  such 
a  claim — but  even  now  my  own  men  are,  as  you  know,  noth- 
ing but  a  draft  from  the  frigate,  and  they  would  not  hesitate 
to  obey  the  orders  of  the  first  lieutenant,  who  is  not  a  man 
to  trifle  on  matters  of  duty." 

" 'Tis  vexatious,  truly,"  said  Katherine,  "that  all  my 
well-concerted  schemes  in  behalf  of  this  wayward  pair 
should  be  frustrated  by  their  own  wilful  conduct  !  But, 
after  all,  have  you  justly  estimated  your  strength,  Barnsta- 
ble ?  are  you  certain  that  you  would  be  successful,  and  that 
without  hazard,  too,  if  you  should  make  the  attempt  ? ' ' 

' '  Morally,  and  what  is  better,  physically  certain.  My 


330 


XTbe  mot 


men  are  closely  hid,  where  no  one  suspects  an  enemy  to  lie ; 
they  are  anxious  for  the  enterprise,  and  the  suddenness  of 
the  attack  will  not  only  make  the  victory  sure,  but  it  will  be 
rendered  bloodless.  You  will  aid  us  in  our  entrance,  Kath- 
erine  :  I  shall  first  secure  this  recruiting  oflScer,  and  his  com- 
mand will  then  surrender  without  striking  a  blow.  Perhaps, 
after  all,  Griffith  will  hear  reason  ;  if  he  do  not,  I  will  not 
yield  my  authority  to  a  released  captive,  without  a  struggle. ' ' 
' '  God  send  that  there  shall  be  no  fighting  !  ' '  murmured 
his  companion,  a  little  appalled  at  the  images  his  language 
had  raised  before  her  imagination  ;  "  and,  Barnstable,  I  en- 
join you,  most  solemnly,  by  all  your  affection  for  me,  and 
by  everything  you  deem  most  sacred,  to  protect  the  person 
of  Colonel  Howard  at  every  hazard.  There  must  be  no  ex- 
cuse, no  pretence,  for  even  an  insult  to  my  passionate,  good, 
obstinate,  but  kind  old  guardian.  I  believe  I  have  given 
him  already  more  trouble  that  I  am  entitled  to  give  any  one, 
and  Heaven  forbid  that  I  should  cause  him  any  serious 
misfortune  ! ' ' 

' '  He  shall  be  safe,  and  not  only  he,  but  all  that  are  with 
him,  as  you  will  perceive,  Katherine,  when  you  hear  my 
plan.  Three  hours  shall  not  pass  over  my  head  before  you 
will  see  me  master  of  that  old  Abbey.  Griffith,  ay,  Grif- 
fith must  be  content  to  be  my  inferior,  until  we  get  afloat 
again." 

* '  Attempt  nothing  unless  you  feel  certain  of  being  able 
to  maintain  your  advantage,  not  only  against  your  enemies, 
but  also  against  your  friends,"  said  the  anxious  Katherine. 
' '  Rely  on  it,  both  Cecilia  and  Griffith  are  refining  so  much 
on  their  feelings,  that  neither  will  be  your  ally." 

*  *  This  comes  of  passing  the  four  best  years  of  his  life 
within  walls  of  brick,  pouring  over  Latin  grammars  and 
syntaxes,  and  such  other  nonsense,  when  he  should  have 
been  rolling  them  away  in  a  good  box  of  live-oak,  and 
studying,  at  most,  how  to  sum  up  his  day's  work,  and  tell 
where  his  ship  lies  after  a  blow.  Your  college  learning  may 
answer  well  enough  for  a  man  who  has  to  live  by  his  wits, 
but  it  can  be  of  little  use  to  one  who  is  never  afraid  to  read 
human  nature,  by  looking  his  fellow-creatures  full  in  the 


XTbe  IPilot 


331 


face,  and  whose  hand  is  as  ready  as  his  tongue.  I  have 
generally  found  the  eye  that  was  good  at  Latin  was  dull  at 
a  compass,  or  in  a  night  squall :  and  yet.  Griff  is  a  seaman  ; 
though  I  have  heard  him  even  read  the  Testament  in  Greek  ! 
Thank  God,  I  had  the  wisdom  to  run  away  from  school  the 
second  day  they  undertook  to  teach  me  a  strange  tongue, 
and  I  believe  I  am  the  more  honest  man,  and  the  better 
seaman,  for  my  ignorance  !  " 

There  is  no  telling  what  you  might  have  been,  Barn- 
stable, under  other  circumstances,"  retorted  his  mistress, 
with  a  playfulness  of  manner  that  she  could  not  always 
repress,  though  it  was  indulged  at  the  expense  of  him  she 
most  loved ;  "I  doubt  not  but,  under  proper  training,  you 
would  have  made  a  reasonably  good  priest.'* 

*  *  If  you  talk  of  priests,  Katherine,  I  shall  remind  you 
that  we  carry  one  in  the  ship.  But  listen  to  my  plan  :  we 
may  talk  further  of  priestcraft  when  an  opportunity  may 
offer." 

Barnstable  then  proceeded  to  lay  before  his  mistress  a 
project  he  had  formed  for  surprising  the  Abbey  that  night, 
which  was  so  feasible  that  Katherine,  notwithstanding  her 
recent  suspicions  of  Borroughcliffe's  designs,  came  gradually 
to  believe  it  would  succeed.  The  young  seaman  answered 
her  objections  with  the  readiness  of  an  ardent  mind,  bent 
on  executing  its  purposes,  and  with  a  fertility  of  resources 
that  proved  that  he  was  no  contemptible  enemy,  in  matters 
that  required  spirited  action.  Of  Merry's  remaining  firm  and 
faithful  he  had  no  doubt  ;  and  although  he  acknowledged 
the  escape  of  the  pedlar  boy,  he  urged  that  the  lad  had  seen 
no  other  of  his  party  besides  himself,  whom  he  mistook  for 
a  common  marauder. 

As  the  disclosure  of  these  plans  was  frequently  inter- 
rupted by  little  digressions,  connected  with  the  peculiar 
emotions  of  the  lovers,  more  than  an  hour  flew  by,  before 
they  separated.  But  Katherine  at  length  reminded  him 
how  swiftly  the  time  was  passing,  and  how  much  remained 
to  be  done,  when  he  reluctantly  consented  to  see  her  once 
through  the  wicket,  where  they  parted. 

Miss  Plowden  adopted  the  same  precaution  in  returning 


332 


Ubc  pilot 


to  the  house  she  had  used  on  leaving  it ;  and  she  was  con« 
gratulating  herself  on  its  success,  when  her  eye  caught  a 
glimpse  of  the  figure  of  a  man,  who  was  apparently  follow- 
ing at  some  little  distance,  in  her  footsteps,  and  dogging  her 
motions.  As  the  obscure  form,  however,  paused  also  when 
she  stopped  to  give  it  an  alarmed,  though  inquiring  look, 
and  then  slowly  retired  towards  the  boundary  of  the  pad- 
dock, Katherine,  believing  it  to  be  Barnstable  watching 
over  her  safety,  entered  the  Abbey,  with  every  idea  of  alarm 
entirely  lost  in  the  pleasing  reflection  of  her  lover's  soli- 
citude. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


*'  He  looks  abroad,  and  soon  appears 
Q'er  Horncliflfe  hill,  a  plump  of  spears, 
Beneath  a  pennon  gay." 

Marmion. 

THE  sharp  sounds  of  the  supper-bell  were  ringing 
along  the  gallery,  as  Miss  Plowden  gained  the 
gloomy  passage ;  and  she  quickened  her  steps  to 
join  the  ladies,  in  order  that  no  further  suspicions 
might  be  excited  by  her  absence.  Alice  Dunscombe  was 
already  proceeding  to  the  dining-parlor,  as  Katherine  passed 
through  the  door  of  the  drawing-room  ;  but  Miss  Howard 
had  loitered  behind,  and  was  met  by  her  cousin  alone. 

''You  have  then  been  so  daring  as  to  venture,  Kathe- 
rine !  "  exclaimed  Cecilia. 

* '  I  have, ' '  returned  the  other,  throwing  herself  into  a  chair, 
to  recover  her  agitation,  "I  have,  Cecilia;  and  I  have  met 
Barnstable,  who  will  soon  be  in  the  Abbey,  and  its  master." 

The  blood  which  had  rushed  to  the  face  of  Cecilia  on  first 
seeing  her  cousin,  now  retreated  to  her  heart,  leaving  every 
part  of  her  fine  countenance  of  the  whiteness  of  her  polished 
temples,  as  she  said — 

"And  are  we  to  have  a  night  of  blood  !" 
"We  are  to  have  a  night  of  freedom,  Miss  Howard; 
freedom  to  you,  and  to  me  ;  to  Andrew  Merry,  to  Griffith, 
and  to  his  companion  ! ' ' 

"What  freedom,  more  than  we  now  enjoy,  Katherine,  is 
needed  by  two  young  women?  Think  you  I  can  remain 
silent,  and  see  my  uncle  betrayed  before  my  eyes  ?  his  life 
perhaps  endangered ! " 

^33 


334 


Zbc  pilot 


* '  Your  own  life  and  person  will  not  be  held  more  sacred, 
Cecilia  Howard,  than  that  of  your  uncle.  If  you  will  con- 
demn Griffith  to  a  prison,  and  perhaps  to  a  gibbet,  betray 
Barnstable,  as  you  have  threatened ;  an  opportunity  will 
not  be  wanting  at  the  supper-table,  whither  I  shall  lead  the 
way,  since  the  mistress  of  the  house  appears  to  forget  her 
duty." 

Katherine  arose,  and  with  a  firm  step  and  proud  eye  she 
moved  along  the  gallery  to  the  room  where  their  presence 
was  expected  by  the  rest  of  the  family.  Cecilia  followed  in 
silence,  and  the  whole  party  immediately  took  their  several 
places  at  the  board. 

The  first  few  minutes  were  passed  in  the  usual  attentions 
of  the  gentlemen  to  the  ladies,  and  the  ordinary  civilities  of 
the  table  ;  during  which,  Katherine  had  so  far  regained  the 
equanimity  of  her  feelings,  as  to  commence  a  watchful  scru- 
tiny of  the  manners  and  looks  of  her  guardian  and  Borrough- 
cliffe,  in  which  she  determined  to  persevere  until  the  eventful 
hour  when  she  was  to  expect  Barnstable  should  arrive. 
Colonel  Howard,  had,  however,  so  far  forgot  the  command 
of  himself,  as  no  longer  to  betray  his  former  abstraction.  In 
its  place  Katherine  fancied,  at  moments,  that  she  could  dis- 
cover a  settled  look  of  conscious  scrutiny,  mingled  a  little 
with  an  expression  of  severe  determination  ;  such  as,  in  her 
earlier  days,  she  had  learned  to  dread  as  sure  indications  of 
the  indignant,  but  upright,  justice  of  an  honorable  mind. 
Borroughclifie,  on  the  other  hand,  was  cool,  polite,  and  as 
attentive  to  the  viands  as  usual,  with  the  alarming  excep- 
tion of  discovering  much  less  devotion  to  the  Pride  of  the 
Vineyards  than  he  commonly  manifested  on  such  occasions. 
In  this  manner  the  meal  passed  by,  and  the  cloth  was  re- 
moved, though  the  ladies  appeared  willing  to  retain  their 
places  longer  than  was  customary.  Colonel  Howard,  filling 
up  the  glasses  of  Alice  Dunscombe  and  himself,  passed  the 
bottle  to  the  recruiting  officer,  and,  with  a  sort  of  effort  that 
was  intended  to  rouse  the  dormant  cheerfulness  of  his  guests, 
cried, — 

''Come,  Borroughcliffe,  the  ruby  lips  of  your  neighbors 
Would  be  still  more  beautiful,  were  they  moistened  with  this 


trbe  pilot 


335 


rich  cordial,  and  that,  too,  accompanied  by  some  loyal  sen- 
timent. Miss  Alice  is  ever  ready  to  express  her  fealty  to  her 
sovereign  ;  in  her  name,  I  can  give  the  health  of  his  most 
sacred  majesty,  with  defeat  and  death  to  all  traitors  !  " 

If  the  prayers  of  an  humble  subject,  and  one  of  a  sex 
that  has  but  little  need  to  mingle  in  the  turmoil  of  the  world, 
and  that  has  less  right  to  pretend  to  understand  the  subtle- 
ties of  statesmen,  can  much  avail  a  high  and  mighty  prince 
like  him  who  sits  on  the  throne,  then  will  he  never  know 
temporal  evil,"  returned  Alice,  meekly  ;  but  I  cannot  wish 
death  to  any  one,  not  even  to  my  enemies,  if  any  I  have,  and 
much  less  to  a  people  who  are  the  children  of  the  same 
family  with  myself. ' ' 

' '  Children  of  the  same  family  ! ' '  the  colonel  repeated, 
slowly,  and  with  a  bitterness  of  manner  that  did  not  fail  to 
attract  the  painful  interest  of  Katherine  :  ' '  children  of  the 
same  family  !  Ay  !  even  as  Absalom  was  the  child  of  David, 
or  as  Judas  was  of  the  family  of  the  holy  Apostles  !  But  let 
it  pass  unpledged — let  it  pass.  The  accursed  spirit  of 
rebellion  has  invaded  my  dwelling,  and  I  no  longer  know 
where  to  find  one  of  my  household  that  has  not  been  assailed 
by  its  malign  influence  !  ' ' 

''Assailed  I  may  have  been  among  others,"  returned 
Alice  ;  * '  but  not  corrupted,  if  purity,  in  this  instance,  consists 
in  loyalty — ' ' 

"  What  sound  is  that ! ' '  interrupted  the  colonel,  with  start- 
ling suddenness.  "  Was  it  not  the  crash  of  some  violence, 
Captain  Borroughcliffe  ? ' ' 

"  It  may  have  been  one  of  my  rascals  who  has  met  with  a 
downfall  in  passing  from  the  festive  board — where  you  know 
I  regale  them  to-night,  in  honor  of  our  success — to  his  blan- 
ket," returned  the  captain  with  admirable  indifference  ;  "or 
it  may  be  the  very  spirit  of  whom  you  have  spoken  so  freely, 
my  host,  that  has  taken  umbrage  at  your  remarks,  and  is 
passing  from  the  hospital  walls  of  St.  Ruth  into  the  open  air, 
without  submitting  to  the  small  trouble  of  ascertaining  the 
position  of  doors.  In  the  latter  case  there  may  be  some 
dozen  perches  or  so  of  wall  to  replace  in  the  morning. ' ' 

The  colonel,  who  had  risen,  glanced  his  eyes  uneasily  from 


336 


TTbe  pilot 


the  speaker  to  the  door,  and  was  evidently  but  little  disposed 
to  enter  into  the  pleasantry  of  his  guest. 

* '  There  are  unusual  noises,  Captain  BorrOughcliffe,  in  the 
grounds  of  the  Abbey,  if  not  in  the  building  itself,"  he  said, 
advancing  with  a  fine  military  air,  from  the  table  to  the 
centre  of  the  room,  and,  as  master  of  the  mansion,  I  will 
inquire  who  it  is  that  thus  unseasonably  disturbs  these  do- 
mains. If  as  friends,  they  shall  have  welcome,  though  their 
visit  be  unexpected  ;  and  if  enemies,  they  shall  also  meet 
with  such  a  reception  as  will  become  an  old  soldier  ! ' ' 

"  No,  no,"  cried  Cecilia,  entirely  thrown  off  her  guard  by 
the  manner  and  language  of  the  veteran,  and  rushing  into 
his  arms.  ' '  Go  not  out,  my  uncle  ;  go  not  into  the  terrible 
fray,  my  kind,  my  good  uncle  !  you  are  old,  you  have  already 
done  more  than  your  duty ;  why  should  you  be  exposed  to 
danger  ? ' ' 

"The  girl  is  mad  with  terror,  Borroughclifie,"  cried  the 
colonel,  bending  his  glistening  eyes  fondly  on  his  niece, 
"  and  you  will  have  to  furnish  my  good-for-nothing,  gouty 
old  person  with  a  corporal's  guard,  to  watch  my  night-cap, 
or  the  silly  child  will  have  an  uneasy  pillow,  till  the  sun 
rises  once  more.    But  you  do  not  stir,  sir  ?  " 

* '  Why  should  I  ?  "  cried  the  captain  ;  * '  Miss  Plowden  yet 
deigns  to  keep  me  company,  and  it  is  not  in  the  nature  of  one 

of  the  th  to  desert  his  bottle  and  his  standard  at  the  same 

moment.  For,  to  a  true  soldier,  the  smiles  of  a  lady  are  as 
imposing  in  the  parlor  as  the  presence  of  his  colors  in  the 
field." 

*  *  I  continue  undisturbed,  Captain  Borroughclifie, ' '  said 
Katherine,  "  because  I  have  not  been  an  inhabitant,  for  so 
many  months,  of  St.  Ruth,  and  not  learned  to  know  the 
tunes  which  the  wind  can  play  among  its  chimneys  and 
pointed  roofs.  The  noise  which  has  taken  Colonel  Howard 
from  his  seat,  and  which  has  so  unnecessarily  alarmed  my 
cousin  Cicely,  is  nothing  but  the  ^olian  harp  of  the  Abbey 
sounding  a  double  bass." 

The  captain  fastened  on  her  composed  countenance,  while 
she  was  speaking,  a  look  of  open  admiration  that  brought, 
though  tardily,  the  color  more  deeply  to  her  cheeks  :  and  he 


XTbe  pilot 


337 


answered  with  something  extremely  equivocal,  both  in  his 

emphasis  and  his  air — 

' '  I  have  avowed  my  allegiance,  and  I  will  abide  by  it.  So 
long  as  Miss  Plowden  will  deign  to  bestow  her  company,  so 
long  will  she  find  me  among  her  most  faithful  and  persever- 
ing attendants,  come  who  may,  or  what  will." 

''You  compel  me  to  retire,"  returned  Katherine,  rising, 
' '  whatever  may  have  been  my  gracious  intentions  in  the 
matter ;  for  even  female  vanity  must  crimson,  at  an  adora- 
tion so  profound  as  that  which  can  chain  Captain  Borrough- 
cliffe  to  a  supper-table  !  As  your  alarm  has  now  dissipated, 
my  cousin,  will  you  lead  the  way  ?  Miss  Alice  and  myself 
attend  you. ' ' 

"  But  not  into  the  paddock,  surely.  Miss  Plowden,"  said 
the  captain  ;  "the  door,  the  key  of  which  you  have  just 
turned,  communicates  with  the  vestibule.  This  is  the  pas- 
sage to  the  drawing-room. ' ' 

The  lady  faintly  laughed,  as  if  in  derision  of  her  own 
forgetfulness,  while  she  bowed  her  acknowledgment,  and 
moved  towards  the  proper  passage  :  she  observed, — 

' '  The  madness  of  fear  has  assailed  some,  I  believe,  who 
have  been  able  to  affect  a  better  disguise  than  Miss  How- 
ard." 

"  Is  it  the  fear  of  present  danger,  or  of  that  which  is  in 
reserve  ?  ' '  asked  the  captain  ;  ' '  but,  as  you  have  stipulated 
so  generously  in  behalf  of  m.y  worthy  host  here,  and  of  one, 
also,  who  shall  be  nameless,  because  he  has  not  deserved 
such  a  favor  at  your  hands,  your  safety  shall  be  one  of  my 
especial  duties  in  these  times  of  peril." 

"  There  is  peril,  then  !  "  exclaimed  Cecilia  ;  "  your  looks 
announce  it,  Captain  Borroughcliffe  !  The  changing  coun- 
tenance of  my  cousin  tells  me  that  my  fears  are  too  true  !  " 

The  soldier  had  now  risen  also,  and,  casting  aside  the  air 
of  badinage,  which  he  so  much  delighted  in,  he  came  forward 
into  the  centre  of  the  apartment,  with  the  manner  of  one  who 
felt  it  was  time  to  be  serious. 

"A  soldier  is  ever  in  peril,  when  the  enemies  of  his  king 
are  at  hand.  Miss  Howard,"  he  answered:  "and  that  such 
is  now  the  case,  Miss  Plowden  can  testify,  if  she  will.  But 

as 


338 


XTbe  iptlot 


you  are  the  allies  of  both  parties  ;  retire,  then,  to  your  own 
apartments,  and  await  the  result  of  the  struggle  which  is  at 
hand." 

' '  You  speak  of  danger  and  hidden  perils, ' '  said  Alice  Duns- 
combe  ;  "  know  ye  aught  that  justifies  your  fears  ?  " 
I  know  all,"  Borroughcliffe  coolly  replied. 
All !  "  exclaimed  Katherine. 

All !  "  echoed  Alice,  in  tones  of  horror.  If,  then,  you 
know  all,  you  must  know  his  desperate  courage,  and  power- 
ful hand,  when  opposed  ;  yield  in  quiet,  and  he  will  not  harm 
ye.  Believe  me,  believe  one  who  knows  his  very  nature, 
that  no  lamb  can  be  more  gentle  than  he  would  be  with 
unresisting  women ;  nor  any  lion  more  fierce,  with  his 
enemies  ! ' ' 

*  *  As  we  happen  not  to  be  of  the  feminine  gender, ' '  re- 
turned Borroughcliffe,  with  an  air  somewhat  splenetic,  ' '  we 
must  abide  the  fury  of  the  king  of  beasts.  His  paw  is,  even 
now,  at  the  outer  door  ;  and,  if  my  orders  have  been  obeyed, 
his  entrance  will  be  yet  easier  than  that  of  the  wolf  to  the 
respectable  ancestor  of  the  little  Red-ridinghood." 

*'Stay  your  hand  for  one  single  moment  !  "  said  Kather- 
ine, breathless  with  interest ;  ' '  you  are  the  master  of  my 
secret,  Captain  Borroughcliffe,  and  bloodshed  may  be  the 
consequence.  I  can  yet  go  forward,  and,  perhaps,  save  many 
inestimable  lives.  Pledge  to  me  your  honor,  that  they  who 
come  hither  as  your  enemies,  this  night,  shall  depart  in 
peace,  and  I  will  pledge  to  you  my  life  for  the  safety  of  the 
Abbey." 

'  *  O  !  hear  her,  and  shed  not  human  blood  !  ' '  cried  Cecilia. 

A  loud  crash  interrupted  further  speech,  and  the  sounds  of 
heavy  footsteps  were  heard  in  the  adjoining  room,  as  if 
many  men  were  alighting  on  its  floor,  in  quick  succession. 
Borroughcliffe  drew  back,  with  great  coolness,  to  the  opposite 
side  of  the  large  apartment,  and  took  a  sheathed  sword  from 
the  table  where  it  had  been  placed  ;  at  the  same  moment  the 
door  was  burst  open,  and  Barnstable  entered  alone,  but 
heavily  armed. 

You  are  my  prisoners,  gentlemen,"  said  the  sailor,  as  he 
advanced;     resistance  is  useless,  and  without  it  you  shall 


Xrbe  mot 


339 


receive  favor.  Ha,  Miss  Plowden  !  my  advice  was,  that  you 
should  not  be  present  at  this  scene." 

' '  Barnstable,  we  are  betrayed  !  ' '  cried  the  agitated  Kath- 
erine.  '  *  But  it  is  not  yet  too  late.  Blood  has  not  yet  been 
spilt,  and  you  can  retire,  without  that  dreadful  alternative, 
with  honor.  Go,  then,  delay  not  another  moment ;  for  should 
the  soldiers  of  Captain  Borroughcliffe  come  to  the  rescue  of 
their  commander,  the  Abbey  would  be  a  scene  of  horror  ! ' ' 

"  Go  you  away  ;  go,  Katherine,"  said  her  lover,  with  im- 
patience ;  '  *  this  is  no  place  for  such  as  you.  But,  Captain 
Borroughcliffe,  if  such  be  your  name,  you  must  perceive  that 
resistance  is  in  vain.  I  have  ten  good  pikes  in  this  outer 
room,  in  twenty  better  hands,  audit  will  be  madness  to  fight 
against  such  odds. ' ' 

Show  me  your  strength,"  said  the  captain,  "that  I  may 
take  counsel  with  mine  honor. ' ' 

' '  Your  honor  shall  be  appeased,  my  brave  soldier,  for  such 
is  your  bearing,  though  your  livery  is  my  aversion,  and  your 
cause  most  unholy  !  Heave  ahead,  boys  !  but  hold  your 
hands  for  orders." 

Thepart)^  of  fierce-looking  sailors  whom  Barnstable  led,  on 
receiving  this  order,  rushed  into  the  room  in  a  medley  ;  butj 
notwithstanding  the  surly  glances,  and  savage  characters 
of  their  dress  and  equipments,  they  struck  no  blow,  nor  com- 
mitted any  act  of  hostility.  The  ladies  shrank  back  appalled, 
as  this  terrific  little  band  took  possession  of  the  hall ;  and 
even  Borroughcliffe  was  seen  to  fall  back  towards  a  door, 
which,  in  some  measure,  covered  his  retreat.  The  confusion 
of  this  sudden  movement  had  not  yet  subsided,  when  sounds 
of  strife  were  heard  rapidly  approaching  from  a  distant  part 
of  the  building,  and  presently  one  of  the  numerous  doors 
of  the  apartment  was  violently  opened,  when  two  of  the 
garrison  of  the  Abbey  rushed  into  the  hall,  vigorously 
pressed  by  twice  their  number  of  seamen,  seconded  by 
Grifiith,  Manual,  and  Merry,  who  were  armed  with  such 
weapons  of  offence  as  had  presented  themselves  to  their 
hands,  at  their  unexpected  liberation.  There  was  a  move- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  seamen,  who  were  already  in  pos- 
session of  the  room,  that  threatened  instant  death  to  the 


340 


UDc  mot 


fugitives :  but  Barnstable  beat  down  their  pikes  with  his 
sword,  and  sternly  ordered  them  to  fall  back.  Surprise  pro- 
duced the  same  pacific  result  among  the  combatants  ;  and  as 
the  soldiers  hastily  sought  a  refuge  behind  their  own  officers, 
and  the  released  captives,  with  their  liberators,  joined  the 
body  of  their  friends,  the  quiet  of  the  hall,  which  had  been 
so  rudely  interrupted,  was  soon  restored. 

You  see,  sir,"  said  Barnstable,  after  grasping  the  hands 
of  Griffith  and  Manual  in  a  warm  and  cordial  pressure, 
' '  that  all  my  plans  have  succeeded.  Your  sleeping  guard 
are  closely  watched  in  their  barracks  by  one  party  ;  our 
officers  are  released,  and  your  sentinels  cut  off  by  another  ; 
while,  with  a  third,  I  hold  the  centre  of  the  Abbey,  and  am 
substantially  in  possession  of  your  own  person.  In  consid- 
eration, therefore,  of  what  is  due  to  humanity,  and  to  the 
presence  of  these  ladies,  let  there  be  no  struggle  !  I  shall 
impose  no  difficult  terms,  nor  any  long  imprisonment." 

The  recruiting  officer  manifested  a  composure  throughout 
the  whole  scene,  that  would  have  excited  some  uneasiness 
in  his  invaders,  had  there  been  opportunity  for  minute  ob- 
servation ;  but  his  countenance  now  gradually  assumed  an 
appearance  of  anxiety,  and  his  head  was  frequently  turned, 
as  if  listening  for  further  and  more  important  interruptions. 
He  answered,  however,  to  this  appeal  with  his  ordinary 
deliberation. 

"  You  speak  of  conquests,  sir,  before  they  are  achieved. 
My  venerable  host  and  myself  are  not  so  defenceless  as  you 
may  choose  to  imagine."  While  speaking  he  threw  aside 
the  cloth  of  a  side  table,  from  beneath  which  the  colonel 
and  himself  were  instantly  armed  with  a  brace  of  pistols 
each.  ''Here  are  the  death-warrants  of  four  of  your  party, 
and  these  brave  fellows  at  my  back  can  account  for  two 
more.  I  believe,  my  transatlantic  warrior,  that  we  are  now 
something  in  the  condition  of  Cortes  and  the  Mexicans, 
when  the  former  overran  part  of  your  continent — I  being 
Cortes,  armed  with  artificial  thunder  and  lightning,  and  you 
the  Indians,  with  nothing  but  your  pikes  and  slings,  and 
such  other  antediluvian  inventions.  Shipwrecks  and  sea- 
water  are  fatal  dampers  of  gunpowder  1 ' ' 


Ube  ipilot 


341 


*'That  we  are  unprovided  with  fire-arms,  I  will  not 
deny, ' '  said  Barnstable  ;  ' '  but  we  are  men  who  are  used, 
from  infancy,  to  depend  on  our  good  right  arms  for  life  and 
safety,  and  we  know  how  to  use  them,  though  we  should 
even  grapple  with  death  !  As  for  the  trifles  in  your  hands, 
gentlemen,  you  are  not  to  suppose  that  men  who  are  trained 
to  look  in  at  one  end  of  a  thirty-two  pounder,  loaded  with 
grape,  while  the  match  is  put  to  the  other,  will  so  much  as 
wink  at  their  report,  though  you  fired  them  by  fifties.  What 
say  you,  boys,  is  a  pistol  a  weapon  to  repel  boarders  ?  " 

The  discordant  and  disdainful  laughs  that  biurst  from  the 
restrained  seamen,  were  a  sufficient  pledge  of  their  indiffer- 
ence to  so  trifling  a  danger.  Borroughclifie  noted  their 
hardened  boldness,  and  taking  the  supper  bell,  which  was 
lying  near  him,  he  rang  it,  for  a  minute,  with  great  violence. 
The  heavy  tread  of  trained  footsteps  soon  followed  this  ex- 
traordinary summons  ;  and  presently  the  several  doors  of 
the  apartment  were  opened,  and  filled  with  armed  soldiers, 
wearing  the  livery  of  the  English  crown. 

If  you  hold  these  smaller  weapons  in  such  vast  con- 
tempt," said  the  recruiting  officer,  when  he  perceived  that 
his  men  had  possessed  themselves  of  all  the  avenues,  ' '  it  is 
in  my  power  to  try  the  virtue  of  some  more  formidable. 
After  this  exhibition  of  my  strength,  gentlemen,  I  presume 
you  cannot  hesitate  to  submit  as  prisoners  of  war. '  * 

The  seamen  had  been  formed  in  something  like  military 
array,  by  the  assiduity  of  Manual,  during  the  preceding 
dialogue  ;  and  as  the  difierent  doors  had  discovered  fresh 
accessions  to  the  strength  of  the  enemy,  the  marine  indus- 
triously offered  new  fronts,  until  the  small  party  was  com- 
pletely arranged  in  a  hollow  square,  that  might  have  proved 
formidable  in  a  charge,  bristled  as  it  was  with  the  deadly 
pikes  of  the  Ariel. 

Here  has  been  some  mistake,"  said  Griffith,  after  glanc- 
ing his  eye  at  the  formidable  array  of  the  soldiers  ;  * '  I  take 
precedence  of  Mr.  Barnstable,  and  I  shall  propose  to  you. 
Captain  Borroughclifie,  terms  that  may  remove  this  scene 
of  strife  from  the  dwelling  of  Colonel  Howard." 

**The  dwelling  of  Colonel  Howard,"  cried  the  veteran, 


34» 


Xrbe  ipilot 


"  is  the  dwelling  of  his  king,  or  of  the  meanest  servant  of 
the  crown  !  so,  Borroughcliffe,  spare  not  the  traitors  on  my 
behalf ;  accept  no  other  terms  than  such  unconditional  sub- 
mission as  is  meet  to  exact  from  the  rebellious  subjects  of 
the  anointed  of  the  lyord." 

While  Griffith  spoke,  Barnstable  folded  his  arms,  in 
affected  composure,  and  glanced  his  eyes  expressively  at  the 
shivering  Katherine,  who,  with  her  companions,  still  con- 
tinued agitated  spectators  of  all  that  passed,  chained  to  the 
spot  by  their  apprehensions  ;  but  to  this  formidable  denun- 
ciation of  the  master  of  the  Abbey  he  deemed  proper  to 
reply— 

'  *  Now,  by  every  hope  I  have  of  sleeping  again  on  salt 
water,  old  gentleman,  if  it  were  not  for  the  presence  of  these 
three  trembling  females,  I  should  feel  tempted  to  dispute, 
at  once,  the  title  of  his  majesty.  You  may  make  such  a 
covenant  as  you  will  with  Mr.  Griffith,  but  if  it  contain  one 
syllable  about  submission  to  your  king,  or  of  any  other 
allegiance  than  that  which  I  owe  to  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, and  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  you  may  as  well  con- 
sider the  terms  violated  at  once  ;  for  not  an  article  of  such 
an  agreement  will  I  consider  as  binding  on  me,  or  on  any 
that  shall  choose  to  follow  me  as  leader." 

"Here  are  but  two  leaders,  Mr.  Barnstable,"  interrupted 
the  haughty  Griffith  ;  ' '  the  one  of  the  enemy,  and  the  other 
of  the  arms  of  America.  Captain  Borroughcliffe,  to  you, 
as  the  former,  I  address  myself.  The  great  objects  of  the 
contest  which  now  unhappily  divides  England  from  her 
ancient  colonies,  can  be  in  no  degree  affected  by  the  events 
\  of  this  night ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  by  a  rigid  adher- 
ence to  military  notions,  much  private  evil  and  deep  domes- 
tic calamity  must  follow  any  struggle  in  such  a  place.  We 
have  but  to  speak,  sir,  and  these  rude  men,  who  already 
stand  impatiently  handling  their  instruments  of  death,  will 
aim  them  at  each  other's  lives ;  and  who  can  say  that  he 
shall  be  able  to  stay  their  hands  when  and  where  he  will  ! 
I  know  you  to  be  a  soldier,  and  that  you  are  not  yet  to 
learn  how  much  easier  it  is  to  stimulate  to  blood,  than  to 
glut  vengeance/' 


XTbe  pilot 


343* 


Borroughcliffe,  unused  to  the  admission  of  violent  emo- 
tions, and  secure  in  the  superiority  of  his  own  party,  both  in 
numbers  and  equipments,  heard  him  with  the  coolest 
composure  to  the  end,  and  then  answered  in  his  customary 
manner, — 

* '  I  honor  your  logic,  sir.  Your  premises  are  indisputa- 
ble, and  the  conclusion  most  obviom..  commit,  thfe_,  these 
worthy  tars  to  the  good  keeping  of  honest  Drill,  who  will 
see  their  famished  natures  revived  by  divers  eatables,  and  a 
due  proportion  of  suitable  fluids  ;  while  we  can  discuss  the 
manner  in  which  you  are  to  return  to  the  colonies,  around 
a  bottle  of  liquor,  which  my  friend  Manual  there  assures  me 
has  come  from  the  sunny  side  of  the  island  of  Madeira,  to 
be  drunk  in  a  bleak  corner  of  that  of  Britain.  By  my  pal- 
ate !  but  the  rascals  brighten  at  the  thought.  They  know 
by  instinct,  sir,  that  a  shipwrecked  mariner  is  a  fitter  com- 
panion to  a  ration  of  beef  and  a  pot  of  porter,  than  to  such 
unsightly  things  as  bayonets  and  boarding-pikes  !  " 

"Trifle  not  unseasonably!"  exclaimed  the  impatient 
young  sailor.  ' '  You  have  the  odds  in  numbers,  but 
whether  it  will  avail  you  much  in  a  deadly  struggle  of 
hand  to  hand,  is  a  question  you  must  put  to  your  pru- 
dence ;  we  stand  not  here  to  ask  terms,  but  to  grant  them. 
You  must  be  brief,  sir;  for  the  time  is  wasting  while  we 
delay. ' ' 

'  *  I  have  offered  to  you  the  means  of  obtaining,  in  perfec 
tion,  the  enjoyment  of  the  three  most  ancient  of  the  numer> 
ous  family  of  the  arts — eating,  drinking,  and  sleeping ! 
What  more  do  you  require  ? ' ' 

''That  you  order  these  men,  who  fill  the  pass  of  the  outei 
door,  to  fall  back  and  give  us  room.  I  would  take,  in  peace, 
these  armed  men  from  before  the  eyes  of  those  who  are  un- 
used to  such  sights.  Before  you  oppose  this  demand,  think 
how  easily  these  hardy  fellows  could  make  a  way  for  them^ 
selves,  against  yotu:  divided  force. ' ' 

Your  companion,  the  experienced  Captain  Manual,  wil) 
tell  you  that  such  a  manoeuvre  would  be  very  unmilitary 
with  a  superior  body  in  your  rear  ! ' ' 

**  I  have  not  leisure,  sir,  for  this  idly,**  cried  tb5  ifidigi 


344 


Ube  pilot 


nant  Griffith.     "Do  you  refuse  us  an  unmolested  retreat 
from  the  Abbey  ? ' ' 
"I  do." 

Griffith  turned,  with  a  look  of  extreme  emotion,  to  the 
ladies,  and  beckoned  to  them  to  retire,  unable  to  give  utter- 
ance to  his  wishes  in  words.  After  a  moment  of  deep 
silence,  however,  he  once  more  addressed  Borroughcliflfe  in 
the  tones  of  conciliation. 

"  If  Manual  and  myself  will  return  to  our  prisons,  and 
submit  to  the  will  of  your  government,"  he  said,  "can  the 
rest  of  the  party  return  to  the  frigate  unmolested  ? ' ' 

"  They  cannot,"  replied  the  soldier,  who,  perceiving  that 
the  crisis  approached,  was  gradually  losing  his  artificial 
deportment  in  the  interest  of  the  moment.  ' '  You,  and  all 
others  who  willingly  invade  the  peace  of  these  realms,  must 
abide  the  issue  !  ' ' 

* '  Then  God  protect  the  innocent  and  defend  the  right ! ' ' 

"  Amen." 

"  Give  way,  villains  !  "  cried  Griffith,  facing  the  party 
that  held  the  outer  door  ;  "  give  way,  or  you  shall  be  riddled 
with  our  pikes  !  ' ' 

"Show  them  your  muzzles,  men  !  "  shouted  Borrough- 
cliffe  ;  '  *  but  pull  no  trigger  till  they  advance. ' ' 

There  was  an  instant  of  bustle  and  preparation,  in  which 
the  rattling  of  fire-arms  blended  with  the  suppressed  execra- 
tions and  threats  of  the  intended  combatants ;  and  Cecilia 
and  Katherine  had  both  covered  their  faces  to  veil  the  horrid 
sight  that  was  momentarily  expected,  when  Alice  Duns- 
combe  advanced  boldly  between  the  points  of  the  threaten- 
ing weapons,  and  spoke  in  a  voice  that  stayed  the  hands 
that  were  already  uplifted. 

"  Hear  me,  men,  if  men  ye  be,  and  not  demons,  thirsting 
for  each  other's  blood  ;  though  ye  walk  abroad  in  the  sem- 
blance of  Him  who  died  that  ye  might  be  elevated  to  the 
rank  of  angels  !  Call  ye  this  war  ?  Is  this  the  glory  that 
is  made  to  warm  the  hearts  of  even  silly  and  confiding 
women  ?  Is  the  peace  of  families  to  be  destroyed  to  gratify 
your  wicked  lust  for  conquest  ;  and  is  life  to  be  taken  in 
vain,  in  order  that  ye  may  boast  of  the  foul  deed  in  your 


XTbe  pilot 


345 


wicked  revels  ?  Fall  back,  then,  ye  British  soldiers  !  if  ye 
be  worthy  of  that  name,  and  give  passage  to  a  woman  ;  and 
remember  that  the  first  shot  that  is  fired  will  be  buried  in 
her  bosom  !  " 

The  men,  thus  enjoined,  shrank  before  her  commanding 
mein,  and  a  way  was  made  for  her  exit  through  that  very 
door  which  Griffith  had,  in  vain,  solicited  might  be  cleared 
for  himself  and  party.  But  Alice,  instead  of  advancing, 
appeared  to  have  suddenly  lost  the  use  of  those  faculties 
which  had  already  effected  so  much.  Her  figure  seemed 
rooted  to  the  spot  where  she  had  spoken,  and  her  eyes  were 
fixed  in  a  settled  gaze,  as  if  dwelling  on  some  horrid  object. 
While  she  yet  stood  in  this  attitude  of  unconscious  helpless- 
ness, the  door- way  became  again  darkened,  and  the  figure 
of  the  Pilot  was  seen  on  its  threshold,  clad,  as  usual,  in  the 
humble  vestments  of  his  profession,  but  heavily  armed  with 
the  weapons  of  naval  war.  For  an  instant,  he  stood  a  silent 
spectator  of  the  scene  ;  and  then  advanced  calmly,  but 
with  searching  eyes,  into  the  centre  of  the  apartment. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


"Welcome,  Signior  :  you  are  almost  come  to  part  almost  a  fray." 

Much  Ado  About  Nothing. 

"  T    X  OWN  with  your  arms,  you  Englishmen  ! ' '  said 
I      I    the  daring  intruder;  "and  you,  who  fight  in 
1.    ^    the  cause  of  sacred  liberty,  stay  your  hands,  that 
no  unnecessary  blood  may  flow.    Yield  yourself,  proud 
Briton,  to  the  power  of  the  Thirteen  Republics  !  " 

"  Ha  !  "  exclaimed  Borroughclifle,  grasping  a  pistol,  with 
an  air  of  great  resolution,  the  work  thickens  ;  I  had  not 
included  this  man  in  my  estimate  of  their  numbers.  Is  he 
a  Samson,  that  his  single  arm  can  change  the  face  of  things 
so  suddenly  !  Down  with  your  own  weapon,  you  masquep 
ader  !  or,  at  the  report  of  this  pistol,  your  body  shall  be 
made  a  target  for  twenty  bullets. ' ' 

* '  And  thine  for  a  hundred  ! ' '  returned  the  Pilot.  ' '  With- 
out there  !  wind  your  call,  fellow,  and  bring  in  our  num- 
bers. We  will  let  this  confident  gentleman  feel  hij^ 
weakness. ' ' 

He  had  not  done  speaking,  before  the  shrill  whistle  of  a 
boatswain  rose  gradually  on  the  ears  of  the  listeners,  until 
the  sense  of  hearing  became  painfully  oppressed,  by  the 
piercing  sounds  that  rang  under  the  arched  roof  of  the  hall, 
and  penetrated  even  to  the  most  distant  recesses  of  the 
Abbey.  A  tremendous  rush  of  men  followed,  who  drove  in 
before  them  the  terrified  fragment  of  Borroughcliffe's  com- 
mand, that  had  held  the  vestibule  ;  and  the  outer  room 
became  filled  with  a  dark  mass  of  human  bodies. 

"Let  them  hear  ye,  lads  ^ "  cried  their  leader;  "the 
Abbey  is  your  own  1 " 


Ube  pilot 


347 


The  roaring  of  a  tempest  was  not  louder  than  the  shout 
that  burst  from  his  followers,  who  continued  their  cheers, 
peal  on  peal,  until  the  very  roof  of  the  edifice  appeared  to 
tremble  with  their  vibrations.  Numerous  dark  and  shaggy- 
heads  were  seen  moving  around  the  passage  ;  some  cased  in 
the  iron-bound  caps  of  the  frigate's  boarders,  and  others 
glittering  with  the  brazen  ornaments  of  her  marine  guard. 
The  sight  of  the  latter  did  not  fail  to  attract  the  eye  of 
Manual,  who  rushed  among  the  throng,  and  soon  reappeared, 
followed  by  a  trusty  band  of  his  own  men,  who  took  posses- 
sion of  the  post  held  by  the  soldiers  of  Borroughcliffe,  while 
the  dialogue  was  continued  between  the  leaders  of  the  ad- 
verse parties. 

Thus  far  Colonel  Howard  had  yielded  to  his  guest,  with 
a  deep  reverence  for  the  principles  of  military  subordination, 
the  functions  of  a  commander ;  but,  now  that  affairs  ap- 
peared to  change  so  materially,  he  took  on  himself  the  right 
to  question  these  intruders  into  his  dwelling. 

"  By  what  authority,  sir,"  the  colonel  demanded,  "is  it 
that  you  dare  thus  to  invade  the  castle  of  a  subject  of  this 
realm  ?  Do  you  come  backed  by  the  commission  of  the  lord 
lieutenant  of  the  county,  or  has  your  warrant  the  signature 
of  his  majesty's  secretary  for  the  home  department  ?  " 

* '  I  bear  no  commission  from  any  quarter, ' '  returned  the 
Pilot ;  "I  rank  only  an  humble  follower  of  the  friends  of 
America  ;  and  having  led  these  gentlemen  into  danger,  I 
have  thought  it  my  duty  to  see  them  extricated.  They  are 
now  safe  ;  and  the  right  to  command  all  that  hear  me  rests 
with  Mr.  Griffith,  who  is  commissioned  by  the  Continental 
Congress  for  such  service. ' ' 

When  he  had  spoken,  he  fell  back  from  the  position  he 
occupied  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  to  one  of  its  sides,  where, 
leaning  his  body  against  the  wainscot,  he  stood  a  silent 
observer  of  what  followed. 

"It  appears,  then,  that  it  is  to  you,  degenerate  son  of  a 
most  worthy  father,  that  I  must  repeat  my  demand,"  con- 
tinued the  veteran.  "  By  what  right  is  my  dwelling  thus 
rudely  assailed  ?  and  why  is  my  quiet  and  the  peace  of 
those  I  protect,  so  daringly  violated  ?  ' ' 


348 


Xlbe  pilot 


I  might  answer  you,  Colonel  Howard,  by  saying  that  it 
is  according  to  the  laws  of  arms,  or  rather  in  retaliation  for 
the  thousand  evils  that  your  English  troops  have  inflicted 
between  Maine  and  Georgia  ;  but  I  wish  not  to  increase 
the  unpleasant  character  of  this  scene,  and  I  therefore  will 
tell  you,  that  our  advantage  shall  be  used  with  moderation. 
The  instant  that  our  men  can  be  collected,  and  our  prisoners 
properly  secured,  your  dwelling  shall  be  restored  to  your 
authority.  We  are  no  freebooters,  sir  ;  and  you  will  find 
it  so  after  our  departure.  Captain  Manual,  draw  off  your 
guard  into  the  grounds,  and  make  your  dispositions  for  a 
return  march  to  our  boats  ;  let  the  boarders  fall  back, 
there  I  out  with  ye  !  out  with  ye — tumble  out,  you 
boarders  ! ' ' 

The  amicable  order  of  the  young  lieutenant,  which  was 
delivered  after  the  stem,  quick  fashion  of  his  profession, 
operated  on  the  cluster  of  dark  figures  that  were  grouped 
around  the  door  like  a  charm  ;  and  as  the  men  w^hom  Barn- 
stable had  led  followed  their  shipmates  into  the  comtyard, 
the  room  was  now  left  to  such  only  as  might  be  termed  the 
gentlemen  of  the  invading  party,  and  the  family  of  Colonel 
Howard. 

Barnstable  had  continued  silent  since  his  senior  oflScer 
had  assumed  the  command,  listening  most  attentively  to 
each  syllable  that  fell  from  either  side  ;  but  now  that  so  few 
remained,  and  the  time  pressed,  he  spoke  again  : — 

"  If  we  are  to  take  boat  so  soon,  Mr.  Griffith,  it  would  be 
seemly  that  due  preparations  should  be  made  to  receive  the 
ladies,  who  are  to  honor  us  with  their  presence  ;  shall  I  take 
that  duty  on  myself?  " 

The  abrupt  proposal  produced  a  universal  surprise  in  his 
hearers  ;  though  the  abashed  and  conscious  expression  of 
Katherine  Plowden's  features  sufficiently  indicated  that  to 
her,  at  least,  it  was  not  altogether  unexpected.  The  long 
silence  that  succeeded  the  question  was  interrupted  by 
Colonel  Howard. 

* '  Ye  are  masters,  gentlemen  ;  help  yourselves  to  what- 
ever best  suits  your  inclinations.  My  dwelling,  my  goods, 
and  my  wards,  are  alike  at  your  disposal — or,  perhaps  Miss 


Ubc  pilot 


349 


Alice  here,  good  and  kind  Miss  Alice  Dunscombe,  may  suit 
the  taste  of  some  among  ye  !  Ah !  Edward  Griffith  ! 
Edward  Griffith  !  little  did  I  ever—" 

"  Breathe  not  that  name  in  levity  again,  thou  scoffer,  or 
even  your  years  may  prove  a  feeble  protection  ! ' '  said  a  stern, 
startling  voice  from  behind.  All  eyes  turned  involuntarily 
at  the  unexpected  sounds,  and  the  muscular  form  of  the 
Pilot  was  seen  resuming  its  attitude  of  repose  against  the 
wall,  though  every  fibre  of  his  frame  was  working  with 
suppressed  passion. 

When  the  astonished  looks  of  Griffith  ceased  to  dwell  on 
this  extraordinary  exhibition  of  interest  in  his  companion, 
they  were  turned  imploringly  towards  the  fair  cousins,  who 
still  occupied  the  distant  corner,  whither  fear  had  impelled 
them. 

* '  I  have  said  that  we  are  not  midnight  marauders,  Col- 
onel Howard, ' '  he  replied  :  *  *  but  if  any  there  be,  here,  who 
will  deign  to  commit  themselves  to  our  keeping,  I  trust  it 
will  not  be  necessary  to  say,  at  this  hour,  what  will  be  their 
reception. ' ' 

"We  have  not  time  for  unnecessary  compliments,"  cried 
the  impatient  Barnstable  ;  '  *  here  is  Merry,  who,  by  years 
and  blood,  is  a  suitable  assistant  for  them,  in  arranging 
their  baggage — what  say  you,  urchin,  can  you  play  the 
lady's  maid  on  emergency  ?  " 

"Ay,  sir,  and  better  than  I  acted  the  pedlar  boy,"  cried 
the  gay  youngster  ;  "  to  have  my  merry  cousin  Kate  and  my 
good  cousin  Cicely  for  shipmates,  I  could  play  our  common 
grandmother  !  Come,  coz,  let  us  be  moving  ;  you  will  have 
to  allow  a  little  leeway  in  time,  for  my  awkwardness." 

"Stand  back,  young  man  !  "  said  Miss  Howard,  repulsing 
his  familiar  attempt  to  take  her  arm ;  and  then  advancing, 
with  a  maidenly  dignity,  nigher  to  her  guardian,  she  con- 
tinued, "  I  cannot  know  what  stipulations  have  been  agreed 
to  by  my  cousin  Plowden,  in  the  secret  treaty  she  has  made 
this  night  with  Mr.  Barnstable :  this  for  myself.  Colonel 
Howard  ;  I  would  have  you  credit  your  brother's  child  when 
she  says,  that,  to  her,  the  events  of  the  hour  have  not  been 
more  unexpected  than  to  yourself. ' ' 


350 


Ubc  pilot 


The  veteran  gazed  at  her,  for  a  moment,  with  an  expres- 
sion of  his  eye  that  denoted  reviving  tenderness  ;  but  gloomy 
doubts  appeared  to  cross  his  mind  again,  and  he  shook  his 
head,  as  he  walked  proudly  away. 

"  Nay,  then,"  added  Cecilia,  her  head  dropping  meekly 
on  her  bosom,  ' '  I  may  be  discredited  by  my  uncle,  but  I 
cannot  be  disgraced  without  some  act  of  my  own."  * 

She  slowly  raised  her  mild  countenance  again,  and  bend- 
ing her  eyes  on  her  lover,  she  continued,  while  a  rich  rush 
of  blood  passed  over  her  fine  features — 

"  Edward  Grifiith,  I  will  not,  I  cannot  say  how  humilia- 
ting it  is  to  think  that  you  can,  for  an  instant,  believe  I 
would  again  forget  myself  so  much  as  to  wish  to  desert  him 
whom  God  has  given  me  for  a  protector,  for  one  chosen  by 
my  own  erring  passions.  And  you,  Andrew  Merry !  learn  to 
respect  the  child  of  your  mother's  sister,  if  not  for  her  own 
sake,  at  least  for  that  of  her  who  watched  your  cradle  ]  " 

'  *  Here  appears  to  be  some  mistake, ' '  said  Barnstable, 
who  participated,  however,  in  no  trifling  degree,  in  the  em- 
barrassment of  the  abashed  boy  ;  ' '  but,  like  all  other  mis- 
takes on  such  subjects  it  can  be  explained  away,  I  suppose. 
Mr.  Grifiith,  it  remains  for  you  to  speak  ;  damn  it,  man,"  hp 
whispered,  "you  are  as  dumb  as  a  cod-fish — I  am  sure  so 
fine  a  woman  is  worth  a  little  fair  weather  talk  :  you  are 
muter  than  a  four-footed  beast — even  an  ass  can  bray  ! ' ' 

"We  will  hasten  our  departure,  Mr.  Barnstable,"  said 
Grifiith,  sighing  heavily,  and  rousing  himself,  as  if  from  a 
trance.  "These  rude  sights  cannot  but  appal  the  ladies. 
You  will  please,  sir,  to  direct  the  order  of  our  march  to  the 
shore.  Captain  Manual  has  charge  of  our  prisoners,  who 
must  all  be  secured,  to  answer  for  an  equal  number  of  our 
own  countrymen. ' ' 

* '  And  our  countrywomen  ! ' '  said  Barnstable,  ' '  are  they 
to  be  forgotten,  in  the  selfish  recollection  of  our  own  secu- 
rity?" 

* '  With  them  we  have  no  right  to  interfere,  unless  at  their 
request." 

"  By  Heaven  !  Mr.  Grifl5th,  this  may  smack  of  learning," 
cried  the  other,  *  *  and  it  may  plead  bookish  authority  as  its 


Ube  pilot 


351 


precedent ;  but  let  me  tell  you,  sir,  it  savors  but  little  of  a 
sailor's  love." 

Isit  unworthy  of  a  seaman,  and  a  gentleman,  to  permit 
the  woman  he  calls  his  mistress  to  be  so,  other  than  in 
name  ? ' ' 

"Well,  then,  Griff,  I  pity  you,  from  my  soul.  I  would 
rather  have  had  a  sharp  struggle  for  the  happiness  that  I 
shall  now  obtain  so  easily,  than  that  you  should  be  thus 
cruelly  disappointed.  But  you  cannot  blame  me,  my  friend, 
that  I  avail  myself  of  fortune's  favor.  Miss  Plowden,  your 
fair  hand.  Colonel  Howard,  I  return  you  a  thousand  thanks 
for  the  care  you  have  taken,  hitherto,  of  this  precious 
charge ;  and  believe  me,  sir,  that  I  speak  frankly,  when  I 
say,  that,  next  to  myself,  I  should  choose  to  entrust  her  with 
you  in  preference  to  any  man  on  earth." 

The  colonel  turned  to  the  speaker,  and  bowed  low,  while 
he  answered  with  grave  courtesy — 

*  *  Sir,  you  repay  my  slight  services  with  too  much  grati- 
tude. If  Miss  Katherine  Plowden  has  not  become  under  my 
guardianship  all  that  her  good  father,  Captain  John  Plow- 
den, of  the  Royal  Navy,  could  have  wished  a  daughter  of 
his  to  be,  the  fault,  unquestionably,  is  to  be  attributed  to  my 
inability  to  instruct,  and  to  no  inherent  quality  in  the  young 
lady  herself.  I  will  not  say.  Take  her,  sir,  since  you  have 
her  in  your  possession  already,  and  it  would  be  out  of  my 
power  to  alter  the  arrangement ;  therefore,  I  can  only  wish 
that  you  may  find  her  as  dutiful  as  a  wife,  as  she  has  been, 
hitherto,  as  a  ward  and  a  subject." 

Katherine  had  yielded  her  hand,  passively,  to  her  lover, 
and  suffered  him  to  lead  her  more  into  the  circle  than  she  had 
before  been  ;  but  now  she  threw  off  his  arm,  and  shaking 
aside  the  dark  curls  which  she  had  rather  invited  to  fall  in 
disorder  around  her  brow,  she  raised  her  face  and  looked 
proudly  up,  with  an  eye  that  sparkled  with  the  spirit  of  its 
mistress,  and  a  face  that  grew  pale  with  emotion  at  each 
moment,  as  she  proceeded — 

''Gentlemen,  the  one  may  be  as  ready  to  receive  as  the 
other  is  to  reject ;  but  has  the  daughter  of  John  Plowden 
no  voice  in  this  cool  disposal  of  her  person  ?    If  her  guar' 


352 


xrbe  pilot 


dian  tires  of  her  presence,  other  habitations  may  be  foiind, 
without  inflicting  so  severe  a  penalty  on  this  gentleman,  as 
to  compel  him  to  provide  for  her  accommodation  in  a  vessel 
which  must  be  already  straitened  for  room  ! ' ' 

She  turned,  and  rejoined  her  cousin  with  such  an  air  of 
maidenly  resentment,  as  a  young  woman  would  be  apt  to 
discover,  who  found  herself  the  subject  of  matrimonial 
arrangement  without  her  own  feelings  being  at  all  con- 
sulted. Barnstable,  who  knew  but  little  of  the  windings 
of  the  female  heart,  or  how  necessary  to  his  mistress,  not- 
withstanding her  previous  declarations,  the  countenance  of 
Cecilia  was  to  any  decided 'and  open  act  in  his  favor,  stood 
in  stupid  wonder  at  her  declaration.  He  could  not  conceive 
that  a  woman  who  had  already  ventured  so  much  in  secret 
in  his  behalf,  and  who  had  so  often  avowed  her  weakness, 
should  shrink  to  declare  it  again  at  such  a  crisis,  though 
the  eyes  of  a  universe  were  on  her !  He  looked  from  one 
of  the  party  to  the  other,  and  met  in  every  face  an  expres- 
sion of  delicate  reserve,  except  in  those  of  the  guardian  of 
his  mistress,  and  of  Borroughcliffe. 

The  colonel  had  given  a  glance  of  returning  favor  at  her, 
whom  he  now  conceived  to  be  his  repentant  ward,  while 
the  countenance  of  the  entrapped  captain  exhibited  a  look 
of  droll  surprise,  blended  with  the  expression  of  bitter 
ferocity  it  had  manifested  since  the  discovery  of  his  own 
mishap. 

"Perhaps,  sir,"  said  Barnstable,  addressing  the  latter, 
fiercely,  * '  you  see  something  amusing  about  the  person  of 
this  lady,  to  divert  you  thus  unseasonably.  We  tolerate  no 
such  treatment  of  our  women  in  America  ! ' ' 

' '  Nor  do  we  quarrel  before  ours  in  England, ' '  returned 
the  soldier,  throwing  back  the  fierce  glance  of  the  sailor 
with  interest ;  "  but  I  was  thinking  of  the  revolutions  that 
time  can  produce  !  nothing  more,  I  do  assure  you.  It  is 
not  half  an  hour  since  I  thought  myself  a  most  happy  fel- 
low ;  secure  in  my  plans  for  overreaching  the  scheme  you 
had  to  surprise  me ;  and  now  I  am  as  miserable  a  dog  as 
wears  a  single  epaulette,  and  has  no  hope  of  seeing  iti> 
fellow  I" 


TTbe  pilot 


353 


"And  in  what  manner,  sir,  can  this  sudden  change  a^ply 
to  me  ?  "  asked  Katherine,  with  all  her  spirit. 

"Certainly  not  to  your  perseverance  in  the  project  to 
assist  my  enemies,  madam,"  returned  the  soldier  with  af- 
fected humility  ;  nor  to  your  zeal  for  their  success,  or  your 
consummate  coolness  at  the  supper-table  !  But  I  find  it  is 
time  that  I  should  be  superannuated — I  can  no  longer  serve 
my  king  with  credit,  and  should  take  to  serving  my  God, 
like  all  other  worn-out  men  of  the  world !  My  hearing  is 
surely  defective,  or  a  paddock  wall  has  a  most  magical  effect 
in  determining  sounds  ! ' ' 

Katherine  waited  not  to  hear  the  close  of  this  sentence, 
but  walked  to  a  distant  part  of  the  room  to  conceal  the 
burning  blushes  that  covered  her  countenance.  The  man- 
ner in  which  the  plans  of  Barnstable  had  become  known  to 
his  foe  was  no  longer  a  mystery.  Her  conscience  also 
reproached  her  a  little  with  some  unnecessary  coquetry,  as 
she  remembered  that  quite  one  half  of  the  dialogue  between 
her  lover  and  herself,  under  the  shadow  of  that  very  wall  to 
which  Borroughcliflfe  alluded,  had  been  on  a  subject  alto- 
gether foreign  to  contention  and  tumults.  As  the  feelings 
of  Barnstable  were  by  no  means  so  sensitive  as  those  of 
his  mistress,  and  his  thoughts  much  occupied  with  the 
means  of  attaining  his  object,  he  did  not  so  readily  com- 
prehend the  indirect  allusion  of  the  soldier,  but  turned 
abruptly  away  to  Griffith,  and  observed  with  a  serious 
air, — 

"  I  feel  it  my  duty,  Mr.  Griffith,  to  suggest,  that  we  have 
standing  instructions  to  secure  all  the  enemies  of  America, 
wherever  they  may  be  found,  and  to  remind  you,  that  the 
States  have  not  hesitated  to  make  prisoners  of  females  in 
many  instances." 

' '  Bravo  ! ' '  cried  Borroughcliflfe  ;  "if  the  ladies  will  not 
go  as  your  mistresses,  take  them  as  your  captives  ! ' ' 

*"Tis  well  for  you,  sir,  that  you  are  a  captive  yourself, 
or  you  should  be  made  to  answer  for  this  speech,"  retorted 
the  irritated  Barnstable.  "It  is  a  responsible  command, 
Mr.  Griffith,  and  must  not  be  disregarded. ' ' 

*'To  your  duty,  Mr.  Barnstable,"  said  Griffith,  again 


354 


Ube  iPflot 


arousing  from  deep  abstraction;  "you  have  your  orders^ 
sir  ;  let  them  be  executed  promptly." 

' '  I  have  also  the  orders  of  our  common  superior,  Cap 
tain  Munson,  Mr.  Grifiith  ;  and  I  do  assure  you,  sir,  that  in 
making  out  my  instructions  for  the  Ariel — poor  thing  ! 
there  are  no  two  of  her  timbers  hanging  together — but  my 
instructions  were  decidedly  particular  on  that  head. ' ' 

' '  And  my  orders  now  supersede  them. ' ' 

"But  am  I  justifiable  in  obeying  a  verbal  order  from  an 
inferior,  in  direct  opposition  to  a  written  instruction  ?  ' ' 

Grifi&th  had  hitherto  manifested  in  his  deportment  noth- 
ing more  than  a  cold  determination  to  act ;  but  the  blood 
now  flew  to  every  vessel  in  his  cheeks  and  forehead,  and  his 
dark  eyes  flashed  fire,  as  he  cried,  authoritatively, — 

'  *  How,  sir  !  do  you  hesitate  to  obey  ?  ' ' 

''By  Heaven,  sir,  I  would  dispute  the  command  of  the 
Continental  Congress  itself,  should  they  bid  me  so  far  to 
forget  my  duty  to — to — ' ' 

' '  Add  yourself,  sir  !  Mr.  Barnstable,  let  this  be  the  last 
of  it.    To  your  duty,  sir." 

''  My  duty  calls  me  here,  Mr.  Griffith." 

"I  must  act,  then,  or  be  bearded  by  my  own  officers. 
Mr.  Merry,  direct  Captain  Manual  to  send  a  sergeant  and 
a  file  of  marines." 

"Bid  him  come  on  himself!"  cried  Barnstable,  mad- 
dened to  desperation  by  his  disappointment ;  "  '  t  is  not  his 
whole  corps  that  can  disarm  me — let  them  come  on  !  Hear, 
there,  you  Ariels  !  rally  round  your  captain." 

' '  The  man  among  them  who  dares  to  cross  that  threshold 
without  my  order,  dies!"  cried  Griffith,  menacing  with  a 
naked  hanger  the  seamen  who  had  promptly  advanced  at 
the  call  of  their  old  commander.  "Yield  your  sword,  Mr. 
Barnstable,  and  spare  yourself  the  disgrace  of  having  it 
forced  from  you  by  a  common  soldier." 

* '  I^et  me  see  the  dog  who  dare  attempt  it !  "  exclaimed 
Barnstable,  flourishing  his  weapon  in  fierce  anger.  Griffith 
had  extended  his  own  arm  in  the  earnestness  of  his  feelings, 
and  their  hangers  crossed  each  other.  The  clashing  of  the 
steel  operated  on  both  like  the  sound  of  the  clarion  on  a 


XTbe  pilot 


355 


war-horse,  and  there  were  sudden  and  rapid  blows,  and  as 
rapid  parries,  exchanged  between  the  flashing  weapons. 

* '  Barnstable  !  Barnstable  !  ' '  cried  Katherine,  rushing 
into  his  arms,  ' '  I  will  go  with  you  to  the  ends  of  the 
iarth!" 

Cecilia  Howard  did  not  speak  ;  but  when  Griffith  recov- 
ered his  coolness,  he  beheld  her  beautiful  form  kneeling 
at  his  feet,  with  her  pale  face  bent  imploringly  on  his 
own  disturbed  countenance.  The  cry  of  Miss  Plowden  had 
separated  the  combatants,  before  an  opportunity  for  shed- 
ding blood  had  been  afforded  ;  but  the  young  men  exchanged 
looks  of  keen  resentment,  notwithstanding  the  interference 
of  their  mistresses.  At  this  moment  Colonel  Howard  ad- 
vanced, and  raising  his  niece  from  her  humble  posture, 
said, — 

' '  This  is  not  a  situation  for  a  child  of  Harry  Howard, 
though  she  knelt  in  the  presence,  and  before  the  throne,  of 
her  sovereign.  Behold,  my  dear  Cecilia,  the  natural  con- 
sequences of  this  rebellion !  It  scatters  discord  in  their 
ranks  ;  and,  by  its  damnable  levelling  principles,  destroys 
all  distinction  of  rank  among  themselves ;  even  these  rash 
boys  know  not  where  obedience  is  due  ! '  * 

*  *  It  is  due  to  me, ' '  said  the  Pilot,  who  now  stepped  for- 
ward among  the  agitated  group,  ' '  and  it  is  time  that  I 
enforce  it.  Mr.  Griffith,  sheathe  your  vSword.  And  you, 
sir,  who  have  defied  the  authority  of  your  senior  officer,  and 
have  forgotten  the  obligation  of  your  oath,  submit,  and 
return  to  your  duty." 

Griffith  started  at  the  sounds  of  his  calm  voice,  as  if  with 
sudden  recollection ;  and  then,  bowing  low,  he  returned 
the  weapon  to  its  scabbard.  But  Barnstable  still  encircled 
the  waist  of  his  mistress  with  one  arm,  while  with  the  other 
he  brandished  his  hanger,  and  laughed  with  scorn  at  this 
extraordinary  assumption  of  authority. 

"And  who  is  this,"  he  cried,  ''who  dare  give  such  an 
order  to  me  ! ' ' 

The  eyes  of  the  Pilot  flashed  with  a  terrible  fire,  while  a 
fierce  glow  seemed  to  be  creeping  over  his  whole  frame, 
which  actually  quivered  with  passion.     But,  suppressing 


35^ 


xrbe  pilot 


this  exhibition  of  his  feelitigs,  by  a  sudden  and  powerful 
effort,  he  answered  in  an  emphatic  manner, — 

'  *  One  who  has  a  right  to  order,  and  who  will  be  obeyed  ! '  * 
The  extraordinary  manner  of  the  speaker  contributed  as 
much  as  his  singular  assertion  to  induce  Barnstable,  in  his 
surprise,  to  lower  the  point  of  his  weapon,  with  an  air  that 
might  easily  have  been  mistaken  for  submission.  The  Pilot 
fastened  his  glowing  eyes  on  him,  for  an  instant,  and  then 
turning  to  the  rest  of  the  listeners,  he  continued,  more 
mildly, — 

"  It  is  true  that  we  came  not  here  as  marauders,  and  that 
our  wish  is,  to  do  no  unnecessary  acts  of  severity  to  the 
aged  and  the  helpless.  But  this  officer  of  the  crown,  and 
this  truant  American  in  particular,  are  fairly  our  prisoners  ; 
as  such,  they  must  be  conducted  on  board  our  ship." 

But  the  main  object  of  our  expedition?"  said  Griffith. 

'"Tis  lost,"  returned  the  Pilot,  hastily  ;  "'tis  sacrificed 
to  more  private  feelings  ;  't  is  like  a  hundred  others,  ended 
in  disappointment,  and  is  forgotten,  sir,  forever.  But  the  in- 
terests of  the  Republic  must  not  be  neglected,  Mr.  Griffith. 
Though  we  are  not  madly  to  endanger  the  lives  of  those 
gallant  fellows,  to  gain  a  love  smile  from  one  young  beauty, 
neither  are  we  to  forge c  the  advantages  they  may  have 
obtained  for  us,  in  order  to  procure  one  of  approbation  from 
another.  This  Colonel  Howard  will  answer  well  in  a  bar- 
gain with  the  minions  of  the  crown,  and  may  purchase  the 
freedom  of  some  worthy  patriot  who  is  deserving  of  his 
liberty.  Nay,  nay,  suppress  that  haughty  look,  and  turn 
that  proud  eye  on  any,  rather  than  me ;  he  goes  to  the 
frigate,  sir,  and  that  immediately." 

"Then,"  said  Cecilia  Howard,  timidly  approaching  the 
spot  where  her  uncle  stood,  a  disdainful  witness  of  the  dis- 
sensions amongst  his  captors  ;  * '  then  will  I  go  with  him ! 
He  shall  never  be  a  resident  among  his  enemies  alone  ! ' ' 

' '  It  would  be  more  ingenuous,  and  more  worthy  of  my 
brother's  daughter,"  said  her  uncle,  coldly,  "  if  she  ascribed 
her  willingness  '  o  depart  to  its  proper  motive."  Disregard- 
ing the  look  of  deep  distress  with  which  Cecilia  received 
this  mortifying  rejection  of  her  tender  attention,  the  old 


Ubc  pilot 


357 


man  walked  towards  Borroughcliffe,  who  was  gnawing  the 
hilt  of  his  sword,  in  very  vexation  at  the  downfall  of  his 
high-raised  hopes,  and  placing  himself  by  his  side,  with  an 
air  of  infinitely  dignified  submission,  he  continued,  ' '  Act 
your  pleasure  on  us,  gentlemen :  you  are  the  conquerors 
and  we  must  even  submit.  A  brave  man  knows  as  well  how 
to  yield  with  decorum,  as  to  defend  himself  stoutly,  when 
he  is  not  surprised,  as  we  have  been.  But  if  an  opportunity 
should  ever  offer  !  Act  your  pleasures,  gentlemen  ;  no  two 
lambs  were  ever  half  so  meek  as  Captain  Borroughcliffe  and 
myself. ' ' 

The  smile  of  affected,  but  bitter  resignation,  that  the 
colonel  bestowed  on  his  fellow-prisoner,  was  returned  by 
that  officer  with  an  attempt  at  risibility  that  abundantly 
betokened  the  disturbed  state  of  his  feelings.  The  two, 
however,  succeeded  in  so  far  maintaining  appearances,  as  to 
contemplate  the  succeeding  movements  of  the  conquerors 
with  a  sufficient  degree  of  composure. 

The  colonel  steadily  and  coldly  rejected  the  advances  of 
his  niece,  who  bowed  meekly  to  his  will,  and  relinquished, 
for  the  present,  the  hope  of  bringing  him  to  a  sense  of  his 
injustice.  She  however  employed  herself  in  earnest,  to  give 
such  directions  as  were  necessary  to  enforce  the  resolution 
she  had  avowed,  and  in  this  unexpected  employment  she 
found  both  a  ready  and  a  willing  assistant  in  her  cousin. 
The  latter,  imknown  to  Miss  Howard,  had,  in  anticipation  of 
some  such  event  as  the  present,  long  since  made,  in  secret,  all 
those  preparations  which  might  become  necessary  to  a  sud- 
den flight  from  the  Abbey.  In  conjunction  with  her  lover, 
then,  who,  perceiving  the  plan  of  the  Pilot  was  furthering 
his  own  views,  deemed  it  most  wise  to  forget  his  quarrel  with 
that  mysterious  individual,  she  flew  to  point  out  the  means 
of  securing  those  articles  which  were  already  in  preparation. 
Barnstable  and  Merry  accompanied  her  light  steps  among 
the  narrow,  dark  passages  of  the  Abbey,  with  the  utmost 
delight ;  the  former  repeatedly  apostrophizing  her  wit  and 
beauty,  and,  indeed,  all  of  her  various  merits,  and  the  lattei 
laughing,  and  indulging  those  buoyant  spirits,  that  a  boy  of 
his  years  and  reflection  mi^ht  be  supposed  to  feel  even  in 


358 


Ube  ipilot 


such  a  scene.  It  was  fortunate  for  her  cousin  that  Kather« 
ine  had  possessed  so  much  forethought ;  for  the  attention 
of  Cecilia  Howard  was  directed  much  more  to  the  comforts 
of  her  uncle,  than  to  those  which  were  necessary  for  her- 
self. Attended  by  Alice  Dunscombe,  the  young  mistress 
of  St.  Ruth  moved  through  the  solitary  apartments  of  the 
building,  listening  to  the  mild  religious  consolation  of  her 
companion,  in  silence,  at  times  yielding  to  those  bursts  of 
mortified  feeling  that  she  could  not  repress,  or  again  as 
calmly  giving  her  orders  to  her  maids,  as  if  the  intended 
movement  was  one  of  but  ordinary  interest.  All  this 
time  the  party  in  the  dining-hall  remained  stationary.  The 
Pilot,  as  if  satisfied  with  what  he  had  already  done,  sank 
back  to  his  reclining  attitude  against  the  wall,  though  his 
eyes  keenly  watched  every  movement  of  the  preparations, 
in  a  manner  which  denoted  that  his  was  the  master-spirit 
that  directed  the  whole.  Grifiith  had,  however,  resumed, 
in  appearance,  the  command,  and  the  busy  seamen  addressed 
themselves  for  orders  to  him  alone.  In  this  manner  an 
hour  was  consumed,  when  Cecilia  and  Katherine  appearing 
in  succession  attired  in  a  suitable  manner  for  their  departure, 
and  the  baggage  of  the  whole  party  having  been  already 
intrusted  to  a  petty  ofiicer  and  a  party  of  men,  Griffith  gave 
forth  the  customary  order  to  put  the  whole  in  motion.  The 
shrill,  piercing  whistle  of  the  boatswain  once  more  rang 
among  the  galleries  and  ceilings  of  the  Abbey,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  deep  hoarse  cry  of — 

Away,  there,  you  shore-draft  !  away,  there,  you  board- 
ers !  ahead,  heave  ahead,  sea-dogs  !  " 

This  extraordinary  summons  was  succeeded  by  the  roll 
of  a  drum,  and  the  strains  of  a  fife,  from  without,  when  the 
whole  party  moved  from  the  building  in  the  order  that  had 
been  previously  prescribed  by  Captain  Manual,  who  acted 
as  the  marshal  of  the  forces  on  the  occasion. 

The  Pilot  had  conducted  his  surprise  with  so  much  skill 
and  secrecy  as  to  have  secured  every  individual  about  the 
Abbey,  whether  male  or  female,  soldier  or  civilian  ;  and  as 
it  might  be  dangerous  to  leave  any  behind  who  could  con- 
vey intelligence  into  the  country,  Griffith  had  ordered 


TTbe  pilot 


that  every  human  being  found  in  the  building  should  be 
conducted  to  the  cliffs  ;  to  be  held  in  durance  at  least  until 
the  departure  of  the  last  boat  to  the  cutter,  which,  he  was 
informed,  lay  close  in  to  the  land,  awaiting  their  re-embark- 
ation. The  hurry  of  the  departure  had  caused  many 
lights  to  be  kindled  in  the  Abbey,  and  the  contrast  between 
the  glare  within  and  the  gloom  without  attracted  the 
wandering  looks  of  the  captives,  as  they  issued  into  the 
paddock.  One  of  those  indefinable  and  unaccountable 
feelings  which  so  often  cross  the  human  mind,  induced 
Cecilia  to  pause  at  the  great  gate  of  the  grounds,  and  look 
back  at  the  Abbey,  with  a  ^presentiment  that  she  was  to 
behold  it  for  the  last  time.  The  dark  and  ragged  outline 
of  the  edifice  was  clearly  delineated  against  the  northern 
sky,  while  the  open  windows  and  neglected  doors  permitted 
a  view  of  the  solitude  within.  Twenty  tapers  were  shed- 
ding their  useless  light  in  the  empty  apartments,  as  if  in 
mockery  of  the  deserted  walls  ;  and  Cecilia  turned  shudder- 
ing from  the  sight,  to  press  nigher  to  the  person  of  her 
indignant  uncle,  with  a  secret  impression  that  her  presence 
would  soon  be  more  necessary  than  ever  to  his  happiness. 

The  low  hum  of  voices  in  front,  with  the  occasional 
strains  of  the  fife,  and  the  stern  mandates  of  the  sea-ofiicers 
soon  recalled  her,  however,  from  these  visionary  thoughts 
to  the  surrounding  realities,  while  the  whole  party  pursued 
their  way  with  diligence  to  the  margin  of  the  ocean. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


"  A  chieftain  to  the  Highlands  bound. 
Cries,  *  Boatman,  do  not  tarry  ! 
And  I  '11  give  thee  a  silver  pound. 
To  row  us  o'er  the  ferry.'  " 

Lord  Ullin*s  Daughter. 

THE  sky  had  been  without  a  cloud  during  the  day,  the 
gale  having  been  dry  and  piercing,  and  thousands 
of  stars  were  now  shining  through  a  chill  atmos- 
phere. As  the  eye,  therefore,  became  accustomed 
to  the  change  of  light,  it  obtained  a  more  distinct  view  of 
surrounding  objects.  At  the  head  of  the  line  that  was 
stretched  along  the  narrow  pathway  marched  a  platoon  of 
the  marines,  who  maintained  the  regular  and  steady  front 
of  trained  warriors.  They  were  followed  at  some  little 
distance  by  a  large  and  confused  body  of  seamen,  heavily 
armed,  whose  disposition  to  disorder  and  rude  merriment, 
which  became  more  violent  from  their  treading  on  solid 
ground,  was  with  difficulty  restrained  by  the  presence  and 
severe  rebukes  of  their  own  officers.  In  the  centre  of  '^his 
confused  mass,  the  whole  of  the  common  prisoners  were 
placed,  but  were  no  otherwise  attended  to  by  their  nautical 
guard  than  as  they  furnished  the  subjects  of  fun  and  num- 
berless quaint  jokes.  At  some  distance  in  their  rear  marched 
Colonel  Howard  and  Borroughcliffe,  arm  in  arm,  both  main^ 
taining  the  most  rigid  and  dignified  silence,  though  under 
the  influence  of  very  bitter  feelings.  Behind  these,  again, 
and  pressing  as  nigh  as  possible  to  her  uncle,  was  Miss 
Howard,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  Alice  Dunscombe,  and  sur- 
roxinded  by  the  female  domestics  of  the  establishment  of  St 


Ube  pilot 


361 


Ruth.  Katherine  Plowden  moved  lightly,  by  herself,  in  the 
shadow  of  this  group,  with  elastic  steps,  but  with  a  maiden 
coyness  that  taught  her  to  veil  her  satisfaction  with  the  sem- 
blance of  captivit3\  Barnstable  watched  her  movements 
with  delight,  within  six  feet  of  her,  but  submitted  to  the  air 
of  caprice  in  his  mistress,  which  seemed  to  require  that  he 
should  come  no  nearer.  Griffith,  avoiding  the  direct  line  of 
the  party,  walked  on  its  skirts  in  such  a  situation  that  his 
eye  could  command  its  whole  extent,  in  order,  if  necessary, 
to  direct  the  movements.  Another  body  of  marines  marched 
at  the  close  of  the  procession,  and  Manual,  in  person,  brought 
up  the  rear.  The  music  had  ceased  by  command,  and  noth- 
ing was  now  audible  but  the  regular  tread  of  the  soldiers, 
with  the  sighs  of  the  dying  gale,  interrupted  occasionally 
by  the  voice  of  an  officer,  or  the  hum  of  low  dialogue. 

''This  has  been  a  Scotch  prize  that  we've  taken,"  mut- 
tered a  surly  old  seaman  ;  **a  ship  without  head-money  or 
cargo  !  There  was  kitchen  timber  enough  to  the  old  jug  of 
a  place  to  have  given  an  outfit  in  crockery  and  knee-buckles 
to  every  lad  in  the  ship  ;  but,  no  !  let  a  man's  mouth  water 
ever  so  much  for  food  and  raiment,  damme,  if  the  officers 
would  give  him  leave  to  steal  even  so  good  a  thing  as  a 
spare  Bible." 

' '  You  may  say  all  that,  and  then  make  but  a  short  yarn 
of  the  truth,"  returned  the  messmate  who  walked  by  his 
side:  '*if  there  had  been  such  a  thing  as  a  ready-made 
prayer  handy,  they  would  have  choused  a  poor  fellow  out  of 
the  use  of  it.  I  say,  Ben,  I  '11  tell  ye  what ;  it 's  my  opinion, 
that  if  a  chap  is  to  turn  soldier  and  carry  a  musket,  he 
should  have  soldier's  play,  and  leave  to  plunder  a  little  ; 
now  the  devil  a  thing  have  I  laid  my  hands  on  to-night,  ex- 
cept this  firelock  and  my  cutlash — unless  you  can  call  this 
bit  of  a  table-cloth  something  of  a  windfall. ' ' 

"  Ay  !  you  have  fallen  in  there  with  a  fresh  bolt  of  duck, 
I  see  ! ' '  said  the  other,  in  manifest  admiration  of  the  texture 
of  his  companion's  prize  ;  "  why,  it  would  spread  as  broad 
a  clue  as  our  mizzen-royal,  if  it  was  loosened  !  well,  your 
luck  hasn't  been  every  man's  luck  ;  for  my  part,  I  think 
this  here  hat  was  made  for  some  fellow's  great  toe  ;  I  've 


362 


XTbe  pilot 


rigged  it  on  my  head  both  fore  and  aft,  and  athwart  ships ; 
but  curse  the  inch  can  I  drive  it  down  ;  I  say,  Sam,  you  '11 
give  us  a  shirt  off  that  table-cloth  ?  ' ' 

* '  Ay,  ay,  you  can  have  one  corner  of  it ;  or  for  that  mat- 
ter, ye  can  take  the  full  half,  Ben  ;  but  I  don't  see  that  we 
go  off  to  the  ship  any  richer  than  we  landed,  unless  you 
may  muster  she-cattle  among  your  prize-money. ' ' 

' '  No  richer  !  ' '  interrupted  a  waggish  young  sailor,  who 
had  been  hitherto  a  silent  listener  to  the  conversation  be- 
tween his  older  and  more  calculating  shipmates  ;  * '  I  think 
we  are  set  up  for  a  cruise  in  them  seas  where  the  day  watches 
last  six  months ;  don't  you  see  we  have  caught  a  double 
allowance  of  midnight  ! ' ' 

While  speaking,  he  laid  his  hands  on  the  bare  and  woolly 
lieads  of  Colonel  Howard's  two  black  slaves,  who  were  mov- 
ing  near  him,  both  occupied  in  mournful  forebodings  on  the 
results  that  were  to  flow  from  this  unexpected  loss  of  their 
liberty.  "Slue your  faces  this  way,  gentlemen,"  he  added  ; 
"  there  ;  don't  you  think  that  a  sight  to  put  out  the  binnacle 
lamps  ?  there  's  darkness  visible  for  ye  !  " 

*  *  I^et  the  niggers  alone, ' '  grumbled  one  of  the  more  aged 
speakers  ;  * '  what  are  ye  skylarking  with  the  like  of  them 
^br  ?  the  next  thing  they  '11  sing  out,  and  then  you  '11  hear 
>ne  of  the  officers  in  your  wake.  For  my  part,  Nick,  I 
Dan't  see  why  it  is  that  we  keep  dodging  along  shore  here, 
with  less  than  ten  fathoms  under  us,  when,  by  stretching 
into  the  broad  Atlantic,  we  might  fall  in  with  a  Jamaica- 
man  every  day  or  two,  and  have  sugar  bogheads  and  rum 
puncheons  as  plenty  aboard  us  as  hard  fare  is  now. ' ' 

"  It  is  all  owing  to  that  Pilot, ' '  returned  the  other  ;  *  *  for, 
d'  ye  see,  if  there  was  no  bottom,  there  would  be  no  pilots. 
This  is  a  dangerous  cruising  ground,  where  we  stretch  into 
five  fathoms,  and  then  drop  our  lead  on  a  sand-pit,  or  a 
rock  !  Besides,  they  made  night-work  of  it  too  !  If  we 
had  daylight  for  fourteen  hours  instead  of  seven,  a  man 
might  trust  to  feeling  his  way  for  the  other  ten." 

"  Now,  ain't  ye  a  couple  of  old  horse  marines  !  "  again 
interrupted  the  young  sailor  ;  don't  you  see  that  Congress 
wants  us  to  cut  up  Johnny  Bull's  coasters,  and  that  old 


XTbe  pilot 


363 


Blow-Hard  has  found  the  days  too  short  for  his  business, 
and  so  he  has  landed  a  party  to  get  hold  of  night.  Here 
we  have  him  !  and  when  we  get  oflf  to  the  ship,  we  shall 
put  him  under  hatches,  and  then  you  '11  see  the  face  of  the 
sun  again  !  Come, '  my  lilies  !  let  these  two  gentlemen  look 
into  your  cabin  windows — what  ?  you  won't !  Then  I  must 
squeeze  your  woollen  night-caps  for  ye  !  " 

The  negroes,  who  had  been  submitting  to  his  humors 
with  the  abject  humility  of  slavery,  now  gave  certain  low 
intimations  that  they  were  suffering  pain,  under  the  rough 
manipulation  of  their  tormentor. 

"What 's  that !  "  cried  a  stern  voice,  whose  boyish  tones 
seemed  to  mock  the  air  of  authority  that  was  assumed  by  the 
speaker,  "  who 's  that,  I  say,  raising  that  cry  among  ye  ?  " 

The  wilful  young  man  slowly  removed  his  two  hands 
from  the  woolly  polls  of  the  slaves,  but  as  he  suffered  them 
to  fall  reluctantly  along  their  sable  temples,  he  gave  the  ear 
of  one  of  the  blacks  a  tweak  that  caused  him  to  give  vent  to 
another  cry,  that  was  uttered  with  a  much  greater  confidence 
of  sympathy  than  before. 

"  Do  ye  hear  there  !  "  repeated  Merry  ;  who  's  skylark- 
ing with  those  negroes  ? ' ' 

**'Tis  no  one,  sir,"  the  sailor  answered  with  affected 
gravity  ;  *  *  one  of  the  pale  faces  has  hit  his  shin  against  a 
cobweb,  and  it  has  made  his  ear  ache  !  " 

'  *  Harkye,  you  Mr.  Jack  Joker !  how  came  you  in  the 
midst  of  the  prisoners  ?  did  not  I  order  you  to  handle  your 
pike,  sir,  and  to  keep  in  the  outer  line  ?  ' ' 

* '  Ay,  ay,  sir,  you  did  ;  and  I  obeyed  orders  as  long  as  I 
could  :  but  these  niggers  have  made  the  night  so  dark,  that 
I  lost  my  way  ! ' ' 

A  low  laugh  passed  through  the  confused  crowd  of  sea- 
men ;  and  even  the  midshipman  might  have  been  indulging 
himself  in  a  similar  manner  at  this  specimen  of  quaint 
humor  from  the  fellow,  who  was  one  of  those  licensed  men 
that  are  to  be  found  in  every  ship.    At  length — 

*'Well,  sir,"  he  said,  "you  have  found  out  your  false 
reckoning  now ;  so  get  you  back  to  the  place  where  I  bid 
you  stay." 


3^4 


Ube  pilot 


"Ay,  ay,  sir,  I'm  going.  By  all  the  blunders  in  the 
purser's  book,  Mr.  Merry,  but  that  cobweb  has  made  one  of 
those  niggers  shed  tears  !  Do  let  me  stay  to  catch  a  little 
ink,  sir,  to  write  a  letter  with  to  my  poor  old  mother — 
devil  the  line  has  she  had  from  me  since  we  sailed  from  the 
Chesapeake  ! ' ' 

"If  ye  don't  mind  me  at  once,  Mr.  Jack  Joker,  I  '11  lay 
m}^  cutlass  over  your  head,"  returned  Merry,  his  voice  now 
betraying  a  much  greater  sympathy  in  the  sufferings  of  that 
abject  race,  who  are  still  in  some  measure,  but  who  formerly 
were  much  more,  the  butts  of  the  unthinking  and  licentious 
among  our  low  countrymen  ;  * '  then  ye  can  write  your  letter 
in  red  ink  if  ye  will  !  " 

"  I  would  n't  doit  for  all  the  world,"  said  Joker,  sneaking 
away  towards  his  proper  station;  "the  old  lady  wouldn't 
forget  the  hand,  and  swear  it  was  a  forgery  ;  I  wonder, 
though,  if  the  breakers  on  the  coast  of  Guinea  be  black  ! 
as  I  've  heard  old  seamen  say,  who  have  cruised  in  them 
latitudes. ' ' 

His  idle  levity  was  suddenly  interrupted  by  a  voice  that 
spoke  above  the  low  hum  of  the  march,  with  an  air  of 
authority,  and  a  severity  of  tone,  that  could  always  quell, 
by  a  single  word,  the  most  violent  ebullition  of  merriment 
in  the  crew. 

The  low  buzzing  sounds  of  ' '  Ay,  there  goes  Mr.  Griffith  !  " 
and  of  * '  Jack  has  woke  up  the  first  lieutenant,  he  had  better 
now  go  to  sleep  himself ;  ' '  were  heard  passing  among  the 
men.  But  these  suppressed  communications  soon  ceased, 
and  even  Jack  Joker  himself  pursued  his  way  with  diligence, 
on  the  skirts  of  the  party,  as  mutely  as  if  the  power  of 
speech  did  not  belong  to  his  organization. 

The  reader  has  too  often  accompanied  us  over  the  ground 
between  the  Abbey  and  the  ocean,  to  require  any  descrip- 
tion of  the  route  pursued  by  the  seamen  during  the  preced- 
ing characteristic  dialogue  ;  and  we  shall  at  once  pass  to 
the  incidents  which  occurred  on  the  arrival  of  the  party  at 
the  cliffs.  As  the  man  who  had  so  unexpectedly  assumed  a 
momentary  authority  within  St.  Ruth  had  unaccountably 
disappeared  from  among  them,  Griffith  continued  to  exer« 


xrbe  pilot 


365 


rise  the  right  of  command,  without  referring  to  any  other 
for  consultation.  He  never  addressed  himself  to  Barnsta. 
ble,  and  it  was  apparent  that  both  the  haughty  young  men 
felt  that  the  tie  which  had  hitherto  united  them  in  such 
close  intimacy  was,  for  the  present  at  least,  entirely  severed. 
Indeed,  Griffith  was  only  restrained  by  the  presence  of 
Cecilia  and  Katherine  from  arresting  his  refractory  inferior 
on  the  spot ;  and  Barnstable,  who  felt  all  the  consciousness 
of  error,  without  its  proper  humility,  with  difficulty  so  far 
repressed  his  feelings,  as  to  forbear  exhibiting  in  the  pres- 
ence of  his  mistress  such  a  manifestation  of  his  spirit  as  his 
wounded  vanity  induced  him  to  imagine  was  necessary  to 
his  honor.  The  two,  however,  acted  in  harmony  on  one 
subject,  though  it  was  without  concert  or  communication. 
The  first  object  with  both  the  young  men  was  to  secure  the 
embarkation  of  the  fair  cousins ;  and  Barnstable  proceeded 
instantly  to  the  boats,  in  order  to  hasten  the  preparations 
that  were  necessary  before  they  could  receive  these  unex- 
pected captives  :  the  descent  of  the  Pilot  having  been  made 
in  such  force  as  to  require  the  use  of  all  the  frigate's  boats, 
which  w^ere  left  riding  in  the  outer  edge  of  the  surf,  await- 
ing the  return  of  the  expedition.  A  loud  call  from  Barn- 
stable gave  notice  to  the  officer  in  command,  and  in  a  few 
moments  the  beach  was  crowded  with  the  busy  and  active 
crews  of  the  *  *  cutters, "  "  launches, "  * '  barges, "  "  j  oUy- 
boats, ' '  '  'pinnaces, "  or  by  whatever  names  the  custom  of  the 
times  attached  to  the  different  attendants  of  vessels  of  war. 
Had  the  fears  of  the  ladies  themselves  been  consulted,  the 
frigate's  launch  would  have  been  selected  for  their  use,  on 
account  of  its  size  ;  but  Barnstable,  who  would  have  thought 
such  a  choice  on  his  part  humiliating  to  his  guests,  ordered 
the  long,  low  barge  of  Captain  Munson  to  be  drawn  upon 
the  sand,  it  being  peculiarly  the  boat  of  honor.  The  hands 
of  fifty  men  were  applied  to  the  task,  and  it  was  soon 
announced  to  Colonel  Howard  and  his  wards  that  the  little 
vessel  was  ready  for  their  reception.  Manual  had  halted 
on  the  summit  of  the  cliffs  with  the  whole  body  of  the 
marines,  where  he  was  busily  employed  in  posting  pickets 
and  sentmels,  and  giving  the  necessary  instructions  to  his 


;66 


Ube  pilot 


inen  to  cover  the  embarkation  of  the  seamen,  in  a  style  that 
he  conceived  to  be  altogether  military.  The  mass  of  the 
common  prisoners,  including  the  inferior  domestics  of  the 
Abbe}^  and  the  men  of  Borroughcliffe,  were  also  held  in  the 
same  place,  under  a  suitable  guard ;  but  Colonel  Howard 
and  his  companion,  attended  by  the  ladies  and  their  own 
maids,  had  descended  the  rugged  path  to  the  beach,  and 
were  standing  passively  on  the  sands,  when  the  intelligence 
that  the  boat  waited  for  them  was  announced. 

' '  Where  is  he  ? "  asked  Alice  Dunscombe,  turning  her 
head,  as  if  anxiously  searching  for  some  other  than  those 
around  her." 

* '  Where  is  who  ? ' '  inquired  Barnstable  ;  *  *  we  are  all  here, 
and  the  boat  waits. ' ' 

' '  And  will  he  tear  me — even  me,  from  the  home  of  my 
infancy  !  the  land  of  my  birth  and  my  affections  !  ' ' 

"  I  know  not  of  whom  you  speak,  madam,  but  if  it  be  of 
Mr.  Griffith,  he  stands  there,  just  without  that  cluster  of 
seamen. ' ' 

Griffith,  hearing  himself  thus  named,  approached  the 
ladies,  and,  for  the  first  time  since  leaving  the  Abbey,  ad- 
dressed them  :  "I  hope  I  am  already  understood,"  he  said, 
' '  and  that  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  say,  that  no  female 
here  is  a  prisoner  ;  though,  should  any  choose  to  trust 
themselves  on  board  our  ship,  I  pledge  to  them  the  honor  of 
an  officer,  that  they  shall  find  themselves  protected,  and  safe." 
Then  will  I  not  go,"  said  Alice. 

* '  It  is  not  expected  of  you, ' '  said  Cecilia  ;  '  *  you  have  no 
ties  to  bind  you  to  any  here."  (The  eyes  of  Alice  were 
still  wandering  over  the  listeners.)  Go,  then.  Miss  Alice, 
and  be  the  mistress  of  St.  Ruth,  until  my  return  ;  or,"  she 
added,  timidl}^,  ^' until  Colonel  Howard  may  declare  his 
pleasure. ' ' 

' '  I  obey  you,  dear  child  ;  but  the  agent  of  Colonel  How- 
ard, at  B  ,  will  undoubtedly  be  authorized  to  take  charge 

of  his  effects." 

While  no  one  but  his  niece  alluded  to  his  will,  the  master 
of  the  Abbey  had  found,  in  his  resentment,  a  sufficient  apology 
for  his  rigid  demeanor  ;  but  he  was  far  too  well  bred  to  bear 


Ubc  pilot 


367 


in  silence,  such  a  modest  appeal  to  his  wishes,  from  so  fair 
and  so  loyal  a  subject  as  Alice  Dunscombe. 

"  To  relieve  you,  madam,  and  for  no  other  reason,  will  I 
speak  on  this  subject,"  he  said  ;  "  otherwise,  I  should  leave 
the  doors  and  windows  of  St.  Ruth  open,  as  a  melancholy 
monument  of  rebellion,  and  seek  my  future  compensation 
from  the  crown,  when  the  confiscated  estates  of  the  leaders 
of  this  accursed  innovation  on  the  rights  of  princes  shall 
come  to  the  hammer.  But  you.  Miss  Alice,  are  entitled  to 
every  consideration  that  a  lady  can  expect  from  a  gentleman. 
Be  pleased,  therefore,  to  write  to  my  agent,  and  request  him 
to  seal  up  my  papers,  and  transmit  them  to  the  office  of  his 
majesty's  secretary  of  state.  They  breathe  no  treason, 
madam,  and  are  entitled  to  official  protection.  The  house, 
and  most  of  the  furniture,  as  you  know,  are  the  property  of 
my  landlord,  who,  in  due  time,  will  doubtless  take  charge  of 
his  own  interest.  I  kiss  your  hand.  Miss  Alice,  and  I  hope 
we  shall  yet  meet  at  vSt.  James' — depend  on  it,  madam,  that 
the  royal  Charlotte  shall  yet  honor  your  merits  ;  I  know  she 
cannot  but  estimate  your  loyalty." 

"Here  I  was  born,  in  humble  obscurity;  here  I  have 
lived,  and  here  I  hope  to  die  in  quiet,"  returned  the  meek 
Alice  ;  "  if  I  have  known  any  pleasure,  in  late  years,  beyond 
that  which  every  Christian  can  find  in  our  daily  duties,  it  has 
been,  my  sweet  friends,  in  3^onr  accidental  society.  Such 
companions,  in  this  remote  corner  of  the  kingdom,  have  been 
a  boon  too  precious  to  be  enjoyed  without  alloy,  it  seems ; 
and  I  have  now  to  exchange  the  past  pleasure  for  present 
pain.  Adieu  !  my  young  friends  ;  let  your  trust  be  in  Him, 
to  whose  eyes  both  prince  and  peasant,  the  Europeon  and 
the  American,  are  alike,  and  we  shall  meet  again,  though  it 
be  neither  in  the  island  of  Britain,  nor  on  your  own  wide 
continent." 

That,"  said  Colonel  Howard,  advancing,  and  taking  her 
hand  with  kindness,  "  that  is  the  only  disloyal  sentiment  I 
have  ever  heard  fall  from  the  lips  of  Miss  Alice  Dunscombe  ! 
Is  it  to  be  supposed  that  Heaven  has  established  orders  among 
men,  and  that  it  does  not  respect  the  works  of  its  own  for- 
mation !    But  adieu ;  no  doubt,  if  time  was  allowed  us  fot. 


368 


Ube  pilot 


suitable  explanations,  we  should  find  but  little  or  no  differ^ 
ence  of  opinion  on  this  subject." 

Alice  did  not  appear  to  consider  the  matter  as  worthy  of 
further  discussion  at  such  a  moment ;  for  she  gently  retm^ned 
the  colonel's  leave-taking,  and  then  gave  her  undivided  atten- 
tion to  her  female  friends.  Cecilia  wept  bitterly  on  the  shoul- 
der of  her  respected  companion,  giving  vent  to  her  regret  at 
parting,  and  her  excited  feelings,  at  the  same  moment ;  and 
Katherine  pressed  to  the  side  of  Alice,  with  the  kindliness 
prompted  by  her  warm  but  truant  heart.  Their  embraces 
were  given  and  received  in  silence,  and  each  of  the  young 
ladies  moved  towards  the  boat,  as  she  withdrew  herself  from 
the  arms  of  Miss  Dunscombe.  Colonel  Howard  would  not 
precede  his  wards,  neither  would  he  assist  them  into  the 
barge.  That  attention  they  received  from  Barnstable,  who, 
after  seeing  the  ladies  and  their  attendants  seated,  turned  to 
the  gentlemen,  and  observed — 

"The boat  waits." 

"Well,  Miss  Alice,"  said  Borroughcliffe,  in  bitter  irony, 
"  you  are  intrusted  by  our  excellent  host  with  a  message  to 
his  agent ;  will  you  do  a  similar  service  to  me,  and  write  a 
report  to  the  commander  of  the  district,  and  just  tell  him  what 
a  dolt — ay,  use  the  plainest  terms,  and  say  what  an  ass  one 
Captain  Borroughcliffe  has  proved  himself  in  this  affair.  You 
may  throw  in,  by  way  of  episode,  that  he  has  .been  playing 
bo-peep  with  a  rebellious  your.g  lady  from  the  colonies,  and, 
like  a  great  boy,  has  had  his  head  broken  for  his  pains  ! 
Come,  my  worthy  host,  or  rather  fellow-prisoner,  I  follow 
you,  as  in  duty  bound." 

"Stay,"  cried  Griffith;  "Captain  Borroughcliffe  does 
tiot  embark  in  that  boat. ' ' 

* '  Ha  !  sir ;  am  I  to  be  herded  with  the  common  men  ? 
Forget  you  that  I  have  the  honor  to  bear  the  commission  of 
his  Britannic  Majesty,  and  that — " 

"  I  forget  nothing  that  a  gentleman  is  bound  to  remember, 
Captain  Borroughcliffe  ;  among  other  things,  I  recollect  the 
liberality  of  your  treatment  to  myself,  when  a  prisoner.  The 
instant  the  safety  of  my  command  will  justify  such  a  step, 
not  only  you,  but  your  men,  shall  be  set  at  liberty." 


XTbe  pilot 


369 


Borroughcliffe  started  in  surprise,  but  his  feelings  were  too 
much  soured  by  the  destruction  of  those  visions  of  glory  in 
which  he  had  been  luxuriously  indulging  for  the  last  day  or 
two,  to  admit  of  his  answering  as  became  a  man.  He  swal- 
lowed his  emotions,  therefore,  by  a  violent  effort,  and 
walked  along  the  beach,  affecting  to  whistle  a  low,  but  lively 
air. 

"Well,  then,"  cried  Barnstable,  "all  our  captives  are 
seated.    The  boat  waits  only  for  its  officers  ! ' ' 

In  his  turn,  Griffith  walked  away  in  haughty  silence,  as 
if  disdaining  to  hold  communion  with  his  former  friend. 
Barnstable  paused  a  moment,  from  a  deference  that  long 
habit  had  created  for  his  superior  officer,  and  which  was 
not  to  be  shaken  off  by  every  burst  of  angry  passion ;  but 
perceiving  that  the  other  had  no  intention  to  return,  he  or- 
dered the  seamen  to  raise  the  boat  from  the  sand,  and  beat 
it  bodily  into  the  water.  The  command  was  instantly 
obeyed  ;  and  by  the  time  the  young  lieutenant  was  in  his 
seat,  the  barge  was  floating  in  the  still  heavy  though  no 
longer  dangerous  surf,  and  the  crew  sprang  into  their 
places. 

* '  Bear  her  off,  boys  !  "  he  cried  ;  ' '  never  mind  a  wet 
jacket.  I  've  seen  many  a  worthy  fellow  tumbling  on  this 
beach  in  a  worse  time  than  this  !  Now  you  have  her  head 
to  sea  ;  give  way,  my  souls,  give  way." 

The  seamen  rose  simultaneously  at  their  oars,  and  by  an 

united  effort  obtained  the  command  of  their  boat ;  which, 

after  making  a  few  sudden  ascents,  and  as  many  heavy 

pitches  in  the  breakers,  gained  the  smoother  seas  of  the 

swelling  ocean,  and  stemmed  the  waters  in  a  direction  for 

tUe  place  where  the  Alacrity  was  supposed  to  be  in  waiting, 
24 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 


A 


"His  only  plot  was  this — that,  much  provoked, 
He  raised  his  vengeful  arm  against  his  country." 

Thomson. 

I.ICK  DUNSCOMBB  remained  on  the  sands, 
watching  the  dark  spot  that  was  soon  hid  amid 
the  waves  in  the  obscurity  of  night,  and  listening, 
with  melancholy  interest,  to  the  regulated  sounds 
of  the  oars,  which  were  audible  long  after  the  boat  had  been 
blended  with  the  gloomy  outline  of  the  eastern  horizon. 
When  all  traces  of  her  departed  friends  were  to  be  found 
only  in  her  own  recollections,  she  slowly  turned  from  the 
sea,  and  hastening  to  quit  the  bustling  throng  that  were  pre- 
paring for  the  embarkation  of  the  rest  of  the  party,  she  as- 
cended the  path  that  conducted  her  once  more  to  the  summit 
of  those  cliffs,  along  which  she  had  so  often  roved,  gazing 
at  the  boundless  element  that  washed  their  base  with  sensa- 
tions that  might  have  been  peculiar  to  her  own  situation. 

The  soldiers  of  Borroughcliffe,  who  were  stationed  at  th^ 
head  of  the  pass,  respectfully  made  way  ;  nor  did  any  of  the 
sentinels  of  Manual  heed  her  retiring  figure,  until  she  ap- 
proached the  rear  guard  of  the  marines,  who  were  commanded 
by  their  vigilant  captain  in  person. 

"Who  goes  there?"  cried  Manual,  advancing  without 
the  dusky  group  of  soldiers,  as  she  approached  them. 

*  *  One  who  possesses  neither  the  power  nor  the  inclination 
to  do  ye  harm,"  answered  the  solitary  female  ;  "'tis  Alice 
Dunscombe,  returning,  by  permission  of  your  leader,  to  the 
place  of  her  birth." 

"Ay,"   muttered  Manual,    "this  is  one  of  Griffith's 

370 


Ube  pilot 


371 


unmilitary  exhibitions  of  his  politeness  !  does  the  man  think 
that  there  was  ever  a  woman  who  had  no  tongue  !  Have 
you  the  countersign,  madam,  that  I  may  know  you  bear  a 
sufficient  warrant  to  pass  ? ' ' 

I  have  no  other  warrant  besides  my  sex  and  weakness, 
unless  Mr.  Griffith's  knowledge  that  I  have  left  him  can  be 
so  considered." 

**The  two  former  are  enough,"  said  a  voice,  that  pro- 
ceeded from  a  figure  which  had  hitherto  stood  unseen,  shaded 
by  the  trunk  of  an  oak,  that  spread  its  wide  but  naked  arms 
above  the  spot  where  the  guard  was  paraded. 

"Who  have  we  here  !  "  Manual  again  cried  ;  come  in, 
yield,  or  you  will  be  fired  at." 

' '  What,  will  the  gallant  Captain  Manual  fire  on  his  own 
rescuer  ! ' '  said  the  Pilot,  with  cool  disdain,  as  he  advanced 
from  the  shadow  of  the  tree.  "  He  had  better  reserve  his 
bullets  for  his  enemies,  than  waste  them  on  his  friends." 

* '  You  have  done  a  dangerous  deed,  sir,  in  approaching, 
clandestinely,  a  guard  of  marines  !  I  wonder  that  a  man 
who  has  already  discovered,  to-night,  that  he  has  some 
knowledge  of  tactics,  by  so  ably  conducting  a  surprise, 
should  betray  so  much  ignorance  in  the  forms  of  approach- 
ing a  picket ! ' ' 

is  now  of  no  moment,"  returned  the  Pilot;  "my 
knowledge  and  my  ignorance  are  alike  immaterial,  as  the 
command  of  the  party  is  surrendered  to  other  and  perhaps 
more  proper  hands.  But  I  would  talk  to  this  lady  alone, 
sir  ;  she  is  an  acquaintance  of  my  youth,  and  I  will  see  her 
on  her  way  to  the  Abbey." 

"The  step  would  be  unmilitary,  Mr.  Pilot,  and  you  will 
excuse  me  if  I  do  not  consent  to  any  of  our  expedition 
straggling  without  the  sentries.  If  you  choose  to  remain 
here  to  hold  your  discourse,  I  will  march  the  picket  out  of 
hearing  ;  though  I  must  acknowledge  I  see  no  ground  so 
favorable  as  this  we  are  on  ;  to  keep  you  within  the  range 
of  our  eyes.  You  perceive  that  I  have  a  ravine  to  retreat 
into  in  case  of  surprise,  with  this  line  of  wall  on  my  left 
flank  and  the  trunk  of  that  tree  to  cover  my  right.  A  very 
pretty  stand  might  be  made  here,  on  emergency ;  for  even 


372 


Zbc  pilot 


the  oldest  troops  fight  the  best  when  their  flanks  are  prop- 
erly covered,  and  a  way  to  make  a  regular  retreat  is  open  in 
their  rear." 

' '  Say  no  more,  sir  ;  I  would  not  break  up  such  a  position 
on  any  account, ' '  returned  the  Pilot ;  '  *  the  lady  will  con- 
sent to  retrace  her  path  for  a  short  distance. ' ' 

Alice  followed  his  steps,  in  compliance  with  this  request, 
until  he  had  led  her  to  a  place,  at  some  little  distance  from 
the  marines,  where  a  tree  had  been  prostrated  by  the  late 
gale.  She  seated  herself  quietly  on  its  trunk,  and  appeared 
to  await  with  patience  his  own  time  for  the  explanation  of 
his  motives  in  seeking  the  interview.  The  Pilot  paced  for 
several  minutes  back  and  forth,  in  front  of  the  place  where 
she  was  seated,  in  profound  silence,  as  if  communing  with 
himself ;  when  suddenly  throwing  off  his  air  of  absence,  he 
came  to  her  side,  and  assumed  a  position  similar  to  the  one 
which  she  herself  had  taken. 

"The  hour  is  at  hand,  Alice,  when  we  must  part,"  he  at 
length  commenced  ;  * '  it  rests  with  yourself  whether  it  shall 
be  forever. ' ' 

"  lyCt  it  then  be  forever,  John,"  she  returned,  with  a 
slight  tremor  in  her  voice. 

* '  That  word  would  have  been  less  appalling,  had  this 
accidental  meeting  never  occurred.  And  yet  your  choice 
may  have  been  determined  by  prudence  ;  for  what  is  there 
in  my  fate  that  can  tempt  a  woman  to  wish  that  she  might 
share  it  ?  " 

"  If  ye  mean  your  lot  is  that  of  one  who  can  find  but  few, 
or  even  none,  to  partake  of  his  joys,  or  to  share  in  his 
sorrows — whose  life  is  a  continual  scene  of  dangers  and 
calamities,  of  disappointments  and  mishaps — then  do  ye 
know  but  little  of  the  heart  of  woman,  if  ye  doubt  of  either 
her  ability  or  her  willingness  to  meet  them  with  the  man  of 
her  choice." 

''Say  you  thus,  Alice?  then  have  I  misunderstood  your 
meaning,  or  misinterpreted  your  acts.  My  lot  is  not  alto- 
gether that  of  a  neglected  man,  unless  the  favor  of  princes, 
and  the  smiles  of  queens,  are  allowed  to  go  for  nothing. 
My  life  is,  however,  one  of  many  and  fearful  dangers ;  and 


TTbe  IPilot 


373 


yet  it  is  not  filled  altogether  with  calamities  and  mishaps  ; 
is  it,  Alice?  "  He  paused  a  moment,  but  in  vain,  for  her 
answer.  ''Nay,  then,  I  have  been  deceived  in  the  estima- 
tion that  the  world  has  affixed  to  my  combats  and  enter- 
prises !  I  am  not,  Alice,  the  man  I  would  be,  or  even  the 
man  I  had  deemed  myself." 

"You  have  gained  a  name,  John,  among  the  warriors  of 
the  age,"  she  answered,  in  a  subdued  voice:  "and  it  is  a 
name  that  may  be  said  to  be  written  in  blood  ! ' ' 

* '  The  blood  of  my  enemies,  Alice  ! ' ' 

"The  blood  of  the  subjects  of  your  natural  prince  !  The 
blood  of  those  who  breathe  the  air  you  first  breathed,  and 
who  were  taught  the  same  holy  lessons  of  instruction  that 
you  were  first  taught ;  but  which,  I  fear,  you  have  too  soon 
forgotten  !  " 

"  The  blood  of  the  slaves  of  despotism  !  "  he  sternly  inter- 
rupted her ;  '  *  the  blood  of  the  enemies  of  fi-eedom  !  you 
have  dwelt  so  long  in  this  dull  retirement,  and  you  have 
cherished  so  blindly  the  prejudices  of  your  youth,  that  the 
promise  of  those  noble  sentiments  I  once  thought  I  could 
see  budding  in  Alice  Dunscombe,  has  not  been  fulfilled. ' ' 

"  I  have  lived  and  thought  only  as  a  woman,  as  became 
^y  sex  and  station,"  Alice  meekly  replied;  "and  when  it 
shall  be  necessary  for  me  to  live  and  think  otherwise,  I 
should  wish  to  die." 

"Ay,  there  lie  the  first  seeds  of  slavery!  A  dependent 
woman  is  sure  to  make  the  mother  of  craven  and  abject 
wretches,  who  dishonor  the  name  of  man  ! ' ' 

"  I  shall  never  be  the  mother  of  children,  good  or  bad," 
said  Alice,  with  that  resignation  in  her  tones  that  showed 
she  had  abandoned  the  natural  hopes  of  her  sex.  "  Singly 
and  unsupported  have  I  lived  ;  alone  and  unlamented  must 
I  be  carried  to  my  grave." 

The  exquisite  pathos  of  her  voice,  as  she  uttered  this 
placid  speech,  blended  as  it  was  with  the  sweet  and  calm 
dignity  of  virgin  pride,  touched  the  heart  of  her  listener, 
and  he  continued  silent  many  moments,  as  if  in  reverence 
of  her  determination.  Her  sentiments  awakened  in  his  own 
breast  those  feelings  of  generosity  and  disinterestedness, 


374 


XTbe  pilot 


which  had  nearly  been  smothered  in  restless  ambition  and 
the  pride  of  success.  He  resumed  the  discourse,  therefore, 
more  mildly,  and  with  a  much  greater  exhibition  of  deep 
feeling,  and  less  of  passion,  in  his  manner. 

I  know  not,  Alice,  that  I  ought,  situated  as  I  am,  and 
contented,  if  not  happy,  as  you  are,  even  to  attempt  to 
revive  in  your  bosom  those  sentiments  which  I  was  once  led 
to  think  existed  there.  It  cannot,  after  all,  be  a  desirable 
fate,  to  share  the  lot  of  a  rover  like  myself ;  one  who  may 
be  termed  a  Quixote  in  the  behalf  of  liberal  principles,  and 
who  may  be  hourly  called  to  seal  the  truth  of  those  princi- 
ples with  his  life. ' ' 

"  There  never  existed  any  sentiment  in  my  breast,  in 
which  you  are  concerned,  that  does  not  exist  there  still,  and 
unchanged,"  returned  Alice,  with  her  single-hearted  sin- 
cerity. 

'  *  Do  I  hear  you  aright  ?  or  have  I  misconceived  your 
resolution  to  abide  in  England  ?  or  have  I  not  rather  mis- 
taken your  early  feelings  ?  ' ' 

*'You  have  fallen  into  no  error  now  nor  then.  The 
weakness  may  still  exist,  John  ;  but  the  strength  to  struggle 
with  it  has,  by  the  goodness  of  God,  grown  with  my  years. 
It  is  not,  however,  of  myself,  but  of  you,  that  I  would  speak. 
I  have  lived  like  one  of  our  simple  daisies,  which  in  the 
budding  may  have  caught  your  eye  ;  and  I  shall  also  wilt 
like  the  humble  flower,  when  the  winter  of  my  time  arrives, 
without  being  missed  from  the  fields  that  have  known  me 
for  a  season.  But  your  fall,  John,  will  be  like  that  of  the 
oak  that  now  supports  us,  and  men  shall  pronounce  on  the 
beauty  and  grandeur  of  the  noble  stem  while  standing,  as 
well  as  of  its  usefulness  when  felled." 

*  *  Let  them  pronounce  as  they  will  ! ' '  returned  the  proud 
stranger.  ' '  The  truth  must  be  finally  known  :  and  when 
that  hour  shall  come,  they  will  say,  he  was  a  faithful  and 
gallant  warrior  in  his  day  ;  and  a  worthy  lesson  for  all  who 
are  born  in  slavery,  but  would  live  in  freedom,  shall  be 
found  in  his  example." 

"  Such  may  be  the  language  of  that  distant  people,  whom 
ye  have  adopted  in  the  place  of  those  that  once  formed 


ZTbe  pilot 


375 


home  and  kin  to  ye,"  said  Alice,  glancing  her  eye  timidly 
at  his  coimtenance,  as  if  to  discern  how  far  she  might  ven- 
ture, without  awakening  his  resentment ;  *  *  but  what  wil) 
the  men  of  the  land  of  your  birth  transmit  to  their  children, 
who  will  be  the  children  of  those  that  are  of  your  own 
blood?" 

They  will  say,  Alice,  whatever  their  crooked  policy  may 
suggest,  or  their  disappointed  vanity  can  urge.  But  the  pic- 
ture must  be  drawn  by  the  friends  of  the  hero,  as  well  as  by 
his  enemies  !  Think  you  that  there  are  not  pens  as  well  as 
swords  in  America  ?  ' ' 

' '  I  have  heard  that  America  called  a  land,  John,  where 
God  has  lavished  his  favors  with  an  unsparing  hand  ;  where 
He  has  bestowed  many  climes  with  their  several  fruits,  and 
where  his  power  is  exhibited  no  less  than  his  mercy.  It  is 
said  her  rivers  are  without  any  known  end,  and  that  lakes 
are  found  in  her  bosom,  which  would  put  our  German 
Ocean  to  shame !  The  plains,  teeming  with  verdure, 
are  spread  over  wide  degrees  ;  and  yet  those  sweet  valleys, 
which  a  single  heart  can  hold,  are  not  wanting.  In  short, 
John,  I  hear  it  is  a  broad  land,  that  can  furnish  food  for 
each  passion,  and  contain  objects  for  every  affection." 

' '  Ay,  you  have  found  those,  Alice,  in  your  solitude,  who 
have  been  willing  to  do  her  justice!  It  is  a  country  that 
can  form  a  world  of  itself ;  and  why  should  they  who  inherit 
it  look  to  other  nations  for  their  laws  ?  ' ' 

' '  I  pretend  not  to  reason  on  the  right  of  children  of  that 
soil  to  do  whatever  they  may  deem  most  meet  for  their  own 
welfare, ' '  returned  Alice  ;  '  *  but  can  men  be  born  in  such  a 
land,  and  not  know  the  feelings  which  bind  a  human  being 
to  the  place  of  his  birth  ? ' ' 

Can  you  doubt  that  they  should  be  patriotic?"  ex- 
claimed the  Pilot  in  surprise.  ' '  Do  not  their  efforts  in  this 
sacred  cause — their  patient  sufferings — their  long  privations 
— speak  loudly  in  their  behalf?  " 

*  *  And  will  they,  who  know  so  well  how  to  love  home, 
sing  the  praises  of  him,  who  has  turned  his  ruthless  hand 
against  the  land  of  his  fathers  ?  ' ' 

*'  Forever  harping  on  the  word  home!"  said  the  Pilot 


376 


TTbe  ipilot 


who  now  detected  the  timid  approaches  of  Alice  to  her  hid- 
den meaning.  "  Is  a  man  a  stick  or  a  stone,  that  he  must 
be  cast  into  the  fire,  or  buried  in  a  wall,  wherever  his  fate 
may  have  doomed  him  to  appear  on  the  earth  ?  The  sound  of 
home  is  said  to  feed  the  vanity  of  an  Englishman,  let  him  go 
where  he  will  ;  but  it  would  seem  to  have  a  still  more  power- 
ful charm  with  English  women  !  " 

**  It  is  the  dearest  of  all  terms  to  every  woman,  John,  for 
it  embraces  the  dearest  of  all  ties  !  If  your  dames  in 
America  are  ignorant  of  its  charm,  all  the  favors  which  God 
has  lavished  on  their  land  will  avail  their  happiness  but 
little." 

"  Alice,"  said  the  Pilot,  rising  in  his  agitation,  I  see  but 
too  well  the  object  of  your  allusions.  But  on  this  subject 
we  can  never  agree ;  for  not  even  your  powerful  influence 
can  draw  me  from  the  path  of  glory  in  which  I  am  now 
treading.  But  our  time  is  growing  brief;  let  us,  then,  talk 
of  other  things.  This  may  be  the  last  time  that  I  shall  ever 
put  foot  on  the  island  of  Britain." 

Alice  paused  to  struggle  with  the  feelings  excited  by  this 
remark,  before  she  pursued  the  discourse.  But  soon  shak- 
ing off  the  weakness,  she  added,  with  ^  rigid  adherence  to 
that  course  which  she  believed  to  be  her  duty — 

' '  And  now,  John,  that  you  have  landed,  is  the  breaking 
up  of  a  peaceful  family,  and  the  violence  ye  have  shown 
towards  an  aged  man,  a  fit  exploit  for  one  whose  object  is 
the  glory  of  which  ye  have  spoken  ?  ' ' 

'  *  Think  you  that  I  have  landed,  and  placed  my  life  in 
the  hands  of  my  enemies,  for  so  unworthy  an  object !  No, 
Alice  :  my  motive  for  this  undertaking  has  been  disap- 
pointed, and  therefore  will  ever  remain  a  secret  from  the 
world.  But  duty  to  my  cause  has  prompted  the  step  which 
you  so  unthinkingly  condemn.  This  Colonel  Howard  has 
some  consideration  with  those  in  power,  and  will  answer  to 
exchange  for  a  better  man.  As  for  his  wards,  you  forget 
their  home,  their  magical  home,  is  in  America  :  unless,  in- 
deed, they  find  them  nearer  at  hand,  under  the  proud  flag 
of  a  frigate  that  is  now  waiting  for  them  in  the  offing. ' ' 

You  talk  of  a  frigate  1  "  said  Alice,  with  a  sudden  inter- 


XTbe  pilot 


377 


est  in  the  subject;  "is  she  your  only  means  of  escaping 
from  your  enemies  ? ' ' 

"  Alice  Dunscombe  has  taken  but  little  heed  of  passing 
events,  to  ask  such  a  question  of  me  !  "  returned  the  haughty 
Pilot.  '  *  The  question  would  have  sounded  more  discreetly, 
had  it  been,  *  Is  she  the  only  vessel  with  you  that  your 
enemies  will  have  to  escape  from  ?  '  " 

'*  Nay,  I  cannot  measure  my  language  at  such  a  moment," 
continued  Alice,  with  a  still  stronger  exhibition  of  anxiety. 
' '  It  was  my  fortune  to  overhear  a  part  of  a  plan  that  was 
intended  to  destroy,  by  sudden  means,  those  vessels  of 
America  that  were  in  our  seas. ' ' 

' '  That  might  be  a  plan  more  suddenly  adopted  than  easily 
executed,  my  good  Alice.  And  who  were  these  redoubtable 
schemers  ? ' ' 

' '  I  know  not  but  my  duty  to  the  king  should  cause  me  to 
suppress  this  information,"  said  Alice,  hesitating. 

"  Well,  be  it  so,"  returned  the  Pilot,  coolly  ;  **  it  may  prove 
the  means  of  saving  the  persons  of  some  of  the  royal  ofificers 
from  death  or  captivity.  I  have  already  said,  this  may  b^ 
the  last  of  my  visits  to  this  island,  and  consequently,  Alice, 
the  last  of  our  interviews — ' ' 

"  And  yet,"  said  Alice,  still  pursuing  the  train  of  her  own 
thoughts,  there  can  be  but  little  harm  in  sparing  human 
blood ;  and  least  of  all  in  serving  those  whom  we  hav€» 
known  long  and  regarded  ! ' ' 

'  *  Ay,  that  is  a  simple  doctrine,  and  one  that  is  easily 
maintained,"  he  added,  with  much  apparent  indifference* 

and  yet  King  George  might  well  spare  some  of  his  ser 
vants — the  list  of  his  abject  minions  is  so  long  !  " 

"There  was  a  man  named  Dillon,  who  lately  dwelt  in  the 
Abbey,  but  who  has  mysteriously  disappeared,"  continued 
Alice  ;  "or,  rather,  who  was  captured  by  your  companions  ; 
know  you  aught  of  him,  John  ?  ' ' 

' '  I  have  heard  there  was  a  miscreant  of  that  name,  but, 
we  have  never  met.  Alice,  if  it  please  Heaven  that  this 
should  be  the  last — ' ' 

' '  He  was  a  captive  in  the  schooner  called  the  Ariel  * '  she 
added,  still  unheeding  his  affected  indifference  to  her  com- 


378 


Ube  pilot 


munication  ;  **  and  when  permitted  to  return  to  St.  Ruth,  he 
lost  sight  of  his  solemn  promise,  and  of  his  plighted  honor, 
to  wreak  his  malice.  Instead  of  effecting  the  exchange 
that  he  had  conditioned  to  see  made,  he  plotted  treason 
against  his  captors.  Yes  ;  it  was  most  foul  treason  !  for 
his  treatment  was  generous  and  kind,  and  his  liberation 
certain." 

He  was  a  most  unworthy  scoundrel !    But,  Alice — " 

'*Nay,  listen,  John,"  she  continued,  urged  to  even  a 
keener  interest  in  his  behalf  by  his  apparent  inattention ; 
' '  and  yet  I  should  speak  tenderly  of  his  failings,  for  he  is 
already  numbered  with  the  dead  !  One  part  of  his  scheme 
must  have  been  frustrated ;  for  he  intended  to  destroy  that 
schooner  which  you  call  the  Ariel,  and  to  have  taken  the 
person  of  the  young  Barnstable." 

' '  In  both  of  which  he  has  failed  !  The  person  of  Barn- 
stable I  have  rescued,  and  the  Ariel  has  been  stricken  by 
a  hand  far  mightier  than  any  of  this  world  ! — she  is  wrecked.  * ' 

"  Then  is  the  frigate  your  only  means  of  escape  !  Has- 
ten, John,  and  seem  not  so  proud  and  heedless  ;  for  the 
hour  may  come  when  all  your  daring  will  not  profit  ye 
against  the  machinations  of  secret  enemies.  This  Dillon 
had  also  planned  that  expresses  should  journey  to  a  seaport 
at  the  south,  with  the  intelligence  that  your  vessels  were 
in  these  seas,  in  order  that  ships  might  be  despatched  to 
intercept  your  retreat." 

The  Pilot  lost  his  affected  indifference  as  she  proceeded ; 
and  before  she  ceased  speaking,  his  eye  was  endeavoring 
to  anticipate  her  words,  by  reading  her  countenance  through 
the  dusky  medium  of  the  star-light. 

''How  know  you  this,  Alice?"  he  asked  quickly,  ''and 
what  vessel  did  he  name  ?  ' ' 

"  Chance  made  me  an  unseen  listener  to  their  plan,  and — 
I  know  not  but  I  forget  my  duty  to  my  prince — ^but,  John, 
't  is  asking  too  much  of  a  weak  woman,  to  require  that  she 
shall  see  the  man  whom  she  once  viewed  with  eyes  of  favor, 
sacrificed  when  a  word  of  caution,  given  in  season,  might 
enable  him  to  avoid  the  danger  ! ' ' 

"  Once  viewed  with  an  eye  of  favor  !    Is  it  then  so?  '* 


tTbe  pilot 


379 


said  the  Pilot,  speaking  in  a  vacant  manner.  ' '  But,  Alice, 
heard  ye  the  force  of  the  ships,  or  their  names  ?  Give  me 
their  names,  and  the  first  lord  of  your  British  admiralty 
shall  not  give  so  true  an  account  of  their  force  as  I  will  fur- 
nish  from  this  list  of  my  own." 

Their  names  were  certainly  mentioned,"  said  Alice,  with 
tender  melancholy ;  *  *  but  the  name  of  one  far  nearer  to 
me  was  ringing  in  my  ears,  and  has  driven  them  from  my 
mind. ' ' 

' '  You  are  the  same  good  Alice  I  once  knew  !  And  my 
name  was  mentioned  ?  What  said  they  of  the  Pirate  ? 
Had  his  arm  stricken  a  blow  that  made  them  tremble  in 
their  Abbey  ?    Did  they  call  him  coward,  girl  ?  " 

It  was  mentioned  in  terms  that  pained  my  heart  as  I 
listened  ;  for  it  is  ever  too  easy  a  task  to  forget  the  lapse 
of  years,  nor  are  the  feelings  of  youth  to  be  easily  eradi- 
cated." 

* '  Ay,  there  is  luxury  in  knowing  that,  with  all  their 
affected  abuse,  the  slaves  dread  me  in  their  secret  holds !  " 
exclaimed  the  Pilot,  pacing  in  front  of  his  listener  with 
quick  steps.  *'  This  it  is  to  be  marked,  among  men,  above 
all  others  in  your  calling  !  I  hope  yet  to  see  the  day  when 
the  third  George  shall  start  at  the  sound  of  that  name,  even 
within  the  walls  of  his  palace." 

Alice  Dunscombe  heard  him  in  a  deep  and  mortified 
silence.  It  was  too  evident  that  a  link  in  the  chain  of  their 
sympathies  was  broken,  and  that  the  weakness  in  which  she 
had  been  unconsciously  indulging  was  met  by  no  corre- 
spondent emotions  in  him.  After  sinking  her  head  for  a 
moment  on  her  bosom,  she  arose  with  a  little  more  than  her 
usual  air  of  meekness,  and  recalled  the  Pilot  to  a  sense  of 
her  presence,  by  saying,  in  a  yet  milder  voice, — 

*  *  I  have  now  communicated  all  that  it  can  profit  you  to 
know,  and  it  is  meet  that  we  separate. ' ' 

"What,  thus  soon?"  he  cried,  starting  and  taking  her 
hand.  ' '  This  is  but  a  short  interview,  Alice,  to  precede  so 
long  a  separation." 

"Be  it  short,  or  be  it  long,  it  must  now  end,"  she  re- 
plied.   ' '  Your  companions  are  on  the  eve  of  departure,  and 


38o 


XTbe  pilot 


I  trust  you  would  be  one  of  the  last  who  would  wish  to 
be  deserted.  If  ye  do  visit  England  again,  I  hope  it  may 
be  with  altered  sentiments,  so  far  as  regards  her  interests. 
I  wish  ye  peace,  John,  and  the  blessings  of  God,  as  ye  may 
be  found  to  deserve  them. ' ' 

* '  I  ask  no  further,  unless  it  may  be  the  aid  of  your  gen- 
tle prayers  !  But  the  night  is  gloomy,  and  I  will  see  you 
in  safety  to  the  Abbey. ' ' 

It  is  unnecessary,"  she  returned,  with  womanly  reserve. 

The  innocent  can  be  as  fearless  on  occasion,  as  the  most 
valiant  among  your  warriors.  But  here  is  no  cause  for 
fear.  I  shall  take  a  path  that  will  conduct  me  in  a  differ- 
ent way  from  that  which  is  occupied  by  your  soldiers,  and 
where  I  shall  find  none  but  Him  who  is  ever  ready  to  pro- 
tect the  helpless.  Once  more,  John,  I  bid  ye  adieu."  Her 
voice  faltered  as  she  continued  :  *  *  Ye  will  share  the  lot  of 
humanity,  and  have  your  hours  of  care  and  weakness  ;  at 
such  moments  ye  can  remember  those  ye  leave  on  this 
despised  island,  and  perhaps  among  them  ye  may  think  of 
some  whose  interest  in  your  welfare  has  been  far  removed 
from  selfishness." 

God  be  with  you,  Alice !  "  he  said,  touched  with  her 
emotion,  and  losing  all  vain  images  in  more  worthy  feelings, 
"  but  I  cannot  permit  you  to  go  alone." 

''Here  we  part,  John,"  she  said  firmly,  "and  forever! 
'T  is  for  the  happiness  of  both,  for  I  fear  we  have  but  little 
in  common. ' '  She  gently  wrested  her  hand  from  his  grasp, 
and  once  more  bidding  him  adieu,  in  a  voice  that  was  nearly 
inaudible,  she  turned  and  slowly  disappeared,  moving,  with 
lingering  steps,  in  the  direction  of  the  Abbey. 

The  first  impulse  of  the  Pilot  was,  certainly,  to  follow, 
and  insist  on  seeing  her  on  the  way  ;  but  the  music  of  the 
guard  on  the  cliffs  at  that  moment  sent  forth  its  martial 
strains,  and  the  whistle  of  the  boatswain  was  heard  winding 
its  shrill  call  among  the  rocks,  in  those  notes  that  his  prac- 
tised ear  well  understood  to  be  the  last  signal  for  embarking. 

Obedient  to  the  summons,  this  singular  man,  in  whose 
breast  the  natural  feelings,  that  were  now  on  the  eve  of  a 
violent  eruption,  had  so  long  been  smothered  by  the  vision- 


Ube  pilot 


381 


ary  expectations  of  a  wild  ambition,  and  perhaps  of  fierce 
resentments,  pursued  his  course,  in  deep  abstraction,  towards 
the  boats.  He  was  soon  met  by  the  soldiers  of  Borrough- 
cliflfe,  deprived  of  their  arms,  it  is  true,  but  unguarded,  and 
returning  peacefully  to  their  quarters.  The  mind  of  the 
Pilot,  happily  for  the  liberty  of  these  men,  was  too  much 
absorbed  in  his  peculiar  reflections,  to  note  this  act  of 
Griffith's  generosity,  nor  did  he  arouse  from  his  musing 
until  his  steps  were  arrested  by  suddenly  encountering  a 
human  figure  in  the  pathway.  A  light  tap  on  his  shoulder 
was  the  first  mark  of  recognition  he  received,  when  Bor- 
roughcliffe,  who  stood  before  him,  said — 

"  It  is  evident,  sir,  from  what  has  passed  this  evening, 
that  you  are  not  what  you  seem.  You  may  be  some  rebel 
admiral  or  general,  for  aught  that  I  know,  the  right  to  com- 
mand having  been  strangely  contested  among  ye  this  night. 
But  let  who  will  own  the  chief  authority,  I  take  the  liberty 
of  whispering  in  your  ear  that  I  have  been  scurvily  treated 
by  you  ;  I  repeat,  most  scurvily  treated  by  you  all,  generally, 
and  by  you  in  particular. ' ' 

The  Pilot  started  at  this  strange  address,  which  was 
uttered  with  all  the  bitterness  that  could  be  imparted  to  it 
by  a  disappointed  man  ;  but  he  motioned  with  his  hand  for 
the  captain  to  depart,  and  turned  aside  to  pursue  his  own  way. 

"Perhaps  I  am  not  properly  understood,"  continued  the 
obstinate  soldier  !  I  say,  sir,  you  have  treated  me  scur- 
vily ;  and  I  would  not  be  thought  to  say  this  to  any  gentle- 
man, without  wishing  to  give  him  an  opportunity  to  vent 
his  anger." 

The  eye  of  the  Pilot,  as  he  moved  forward,  glanced  at  the 
pistols  which  BorroughclifFe  held  in  his  hands,  the  one  by 
the  handle,  and  the  other  by  its  barrel,  and  the  soldier  even 
fancied  that  his  footsteps  were  quickened  by  the  sight.  After 
gazing  at  him  until  his  form  was  lost  in  the  darkness,  the 
captain  muttered  to  himself — 

"  He  is  no  more  than  a  common  pilot,  after  all !  No  true 
gentleman  would  have  received  so  palpable  a  hint  with  such 
a  start.  Ah  !  here  comes  the  party  of  my  worthy  friend 
whose  palate  knows  a  grape  of  the  north-side  of  Madeira 


382 


XTbe  pilot 


from  one  of  the  south.  The  dog  has  the  throat  of  a  gentle- 
man ;  we  will  see  how  he  can  swallow  a  delicate  allusion  to 
his  faults  ! ' ' 

BorroughclifFe  stepped  aside  to  allow  the  marines,  who 
were  also  in  motion  for  the  boats,  to  pass,  and  watched  with 
keen  looks  for  the  person  of  the  commander.  Manual,  who 
had  been  previously  apprised  of  the  intention  of  Griffith  to 
release  the  prisoners,  had  halted  to  see  that  none  but  those 
who  had  been  liberated  by  authority,  were  marching  into  the 
country.  This  accidental  circumstance  gave  Borroughcliffe 
an  opportunity  of  meeting  the  other  at  some  little  distance 
from  either  of  their  respective  parties. 

*'I  greet  you,  sir,"  said  Borroughcliffe,  "with  all  affec- 
tion. This  has  been  a  pleasant  forage  for  you,  Captain 
Manual." 

The  marine  was  far  from  being  disposed  to  wrangle,  but 
there  was  that  in  the  voice  of  the  other  which  caused  him  to 
answer — 

'  *  It  would  have  been  far  pleasanter,  sir,  if  I  had  met  an 
opportunity  of  returning  to  Captain  Borroughcliffe  some  of 
the  favors  that  I  have  received  at  his  hands." 

* '  Nay,  then,  dear  sir,  you  weigh  my  modesty  to  the  earth  ! 
Surely  you  forget  the  manner  in  which  my  hospitality  has 
already  been  requited — by  some  two  hours  mouthing  of  my 
sword-hilt ;  with  a  very  unceremonious  ricochet  into  a 
corner ;  together  with  a  love-tap  over  the  shoulders  of  one 
of  my  men,  by  so  gentle  an  instrument  as  the  butt  of  a 
musket !  Damme,  sir,  but  I  think  an  ungrateful  man  only 
a  better  sort  of  beast." 

* '  Had  the  love-tap  been  given  to  officer  instead  of  the 
man,"  returned  Manual,  with  all  commendable  coolness,  "  it 
would  have  been  better  justice  ;  and  the  ramrod  might  have 
answered  as  well  as  the  butt,  to  floor  a  gentleman  who  car- 
ried the  allowance  of  four  thirsty  fiddlers  under  one  man's 
jacket." 

' '  Now,  that  is  rank  ingratitude  to  your  own  cordial  of 
the  south-side,  and  a  most  biting  insult !  I  really  see  but 
one  way  of  terminating  this  wordy  war,  which,  if  not  dis- 
creetly ended,  may  lead  us  far  into  the  morning.'* 


Ubc  pilot 


383 


*  *  Elect  your  own  manner  of  determining  the  dispute,  sir ; 
I  hope,  however,  it  will  not  be  by  your  innate  knowledge  of 
mankind,  which  has  already  mistaken  a  captain  of  marines 
in  the  service  of  Congress,  for  a  runaway  lover,  bound  to 
some  green  place  or  other. ' ' 

You  might  just  as  well  tweak  my  nose,  sir !  "  said  Bor- 
roughcliffe.  ' '  Indeed,  I  think  it  would  be  the  milder  re- 
proach of  the  two  !  will  you  make  your  selection  of  these,  sir  ? 
They  were  loaded  for  a  very  different  sort  of  service,  but  I 
doubt  not  will  answer  on  occasion." 

* '  I  am  provided  with  a  pair  that  are  charged  for  any 
service,"  returned  Manual,  drawing  a  pistol  from  his  own 
belt,  and  stepping  backward  a  few  paces. 

' '  You  are  destined  for  America,  I  know, ' '  said  Borrough- 
cliffe,  who  stood  his  ground  with  consummate  coolness ; 
* '  but  it  would  be  more  convenient  for  me,  sir,  if  you  could 
delay  your  march  for  a  single  moment. ' ' 

' '  Fire  and  defend  yourself ! ' '  exclaimed  Manual,  furiously, 
retracing  his  steps  towards  his  enemy. 

The  sounds  of  the  two  pistols  were  blended  in  one  report, 
and  the  soldiers  of  Borroughcliffe  and  the  marines  all  rushed 
to  the  place  on  the  sudden  alarm.  Had  the  former  been  pro- 
vided with  arms,  it  is  probable  that  a  bloody  fray  would  have 
been  the  consequence  of  the  sight  that  both  parties  beheld 
on  arriving  at  the  spot,  which  they  did  simultaneously. 
Manual  lay  on  his  back,  without  any  signs  of  life,  and  Bor- 
roughcliffe had  changed  his  cool,  haughty,  upright  attitude 
for  a  recumbent  posture,  which  was  somewhat  between  lying 
and  sitting. 

' '  Is  the  poor  fellow  actually  expended  ?  ' '  said  the  English- 
man, in  something  like  the  tones  of  regret ;  "  well,  he  had  a 
soldier's  mettle  in  him,  and  was  nearly  as  great  a  fool  as 
myself!" 

The  marines  had,  luckily  for  the  soldiers  and  their  captain, 
by  this  time  discovered  the  signs  of  life  in  their  own  com- 
mander, who  had  been  only  slightly  stunned  by  the  bullet, 
which  had  grazed  his  crown,  and  who,  being  assisted  on  his 
feet,  stood  a  minute  or  two  rubbing  his  head,  as  if  awaking 
^om  a  dream.    As  Manual  came  gradually  to  his  senses,  he 


384 


Ube  pilot 


recollected  the  business  in  which  he  had  just  been  engaged, 
and,  in  his  turn,  inquired  after  the  fate  of  his  antagonist. 

"  I  am  here,  my  worthy  incognito,"  cried  the  other,  with 
the  voice  of  perfect  good  nature ;  '  *  lying  in  the  lap  of 
mother  Earth,  and  all  the  better  for  opening  a  vein  or  two 
in  my  right  leg ;  though  I  do  think  that  the  same  effect 
might  have  been  produced  without  treating  the  bone  so 
roughly  !  But  I  opine  that  I  saw  you  also  reclining  on  the 
bosom  of  our  common  ancestor." 

*  *  I  was  down  for  a  few  minutes,  I  do  believe, ' '  returned 
Manual ;     there  is  the  path  of  a  bullet  across  my  scalp," 

'  *  Humph  !  on  the  head  !  ' '  said  Borroughcliffe,  dryly, 
"  the  hurt  is  not  likely  to  be  mortal,  I  see.  Well,  I  shall 
offer  to  raffle  with  the  first  poor  devil  I  can  find  that  has  but 
one  good  leg,  for  who  shall  have  both  ;  and  that  will  just 
set  up  a  beggar  and  a  gentleman  !  Manual,  give  me  your 
hand ;  we  have  drunk  together,  and  we  have  fought ; 
surely  there  is  nothing  now  to  prevent  our  being  sworn 
friends." 

"Why,"  returned  Manual,  continuing  to  rub  his  head, 
"  I  see  no  irremovable  objections — but  you  will  want  a  sur- 
geon? can  I  order  anything  to  be  done?  There  go  the 
signals  again  to  embark — march  the  fellows  down  at  quick 
time,  sergeant ;  my  own  man  may  remain  with  me,  or,  I  can 
do  altogether  without  assistance." 

"Ah!  you  are  what  I  call  a  well-made  man,  my  dear 
friend  ! ' '  exclaimed  Borroughcliffe  ;  "no  weak  points  about 
your  fortress  !  such  a  man  is  worthy  to  be  the  head  of  a 
whole  corps,  instead  of  a  solitary  company.  Gently,  gently  ; 
handle  me  as  if  I  were  made  of  potter's  clay.  I  will  not 
detain  you  longer,  my  friend  Manual,  for  I  hear  signal  after 
signal  ;  they  must  be  in  want  of  some  of  your  astonishing 
reasoning  faculties  to  set  them  afloat." 

Manual  might  have  been  offended  at  the  palpable  allusions 
that  his  new  friend  made  to  the  firmness  of  his  occiput  had 
not  his  perception  of  things  been  a  little  confused  by  a 
humming  sound  that  seemed  to  abide  near  the  region  of 
thought.  As  it  was,  he  reciprocated  the  good  wishes  of  the 
other,  whom  he  shook  most  cordially  by  the  hand,  and  once 


Ube  ipflot 


385 


more  renewed  his  offers  of  service,  after  exchanging  sundry 
friendly  speeches. 

* '  I  thank  you  quite  as  much  as  if  I  were  not  at  all  in- 
debted to  you  for  letting  blood,  thereby  saving  me  a  fit  of 
apoplexy ;  but  Drill  has  already  despatched  a  messenger 

to  B  for  a  leech,  and  the  lad  may  bring  the  whole  depot 

down  upon  you.  Adieu,  once  more,  and  remember  that  if 
you  ever  visit  England  again  as  a  friend,  you  are  to  let  me 
see  you. ' ' 

* '  I  shall  do  it  without  fail ;  and  I  shall  keep  you  to  your 
promise  if  you  once  more  put  foot  in  America." 

* '  Trust  me  for  that :  I  shall  stand  in  need  of  your  excel- 
lent head  to  guide  me  safely  among  those  rude  foresters. 
Adieu  ;  cease  not  to  bear  me  in  your  thoughts." 

'  *  I  shall  never  cease  to  remember  you,  my  good  friend, ' ' 
returned  Manual,  again  scratching  the  member  which  was 
snapping  in  a  manner  that  caused  him  to  fancy  he  heard  it. 
Once  more  these  worthies  shook  each  other  by  the  hand, 
and  again  they  renewed  their  promises  of  future  inter- 
course ;  after  which  they  separated  like  two  reluctant  lov- 
ers— parting  in  a  manner  that  would  have  put  to  shame  the 

friendship  of  Orestes  and  Pylades. 
35 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


**Nay,  answer  me :  stand  and  unfold  yourself." 

Hamlet, 

DURING  the  time  occupied  by  the  incidents  that 
occurred  after  the  Pilot  had  made  his  descent  on 
the  land,  the  Alacrity,  now  under  the  orders  of 
Mr.  Boltrope,  the  master  of  the  frigate,  lay  off 
and  on,  in  readiness  to  receive  the  successful  mariners.  The 
direction  of  the  wind  had  been  gradually  changing  from 
the  northeast  to  the  south,  during  the  close  of  the  day  ;  and 
long  before  the  middle  watches  of  the  night,  the  w^ary  old 
seaman,  who,  it  may  be  remembered,  had  expressed,  in  the 
council  of  war,  such  a  determined  reluctance  to  trust  his 
person  within  the  realm  of  Britain,  ordered  the  man  who 
steered  the  cutter  to  stand  in  boldly  for  the  land.  When- 
ever the  lead  told  them  that  it  was  prudent  to  tack,  the 
course  of  the  vessel  was  changed :  and  in  this  manner  the 
seamen  continued  to  employ  the  hours  in  patient  attendance 
on  the  adventurers.  The  sailing-master,  who  had  spent  the 
early  years  of  his  life  as  the  commander  of  divers  vessels 
employed  in  trading,  was  apt,  like  many  men  of  his  voca- 
tion and  origin,  to  mistake  the  absence  of  refinement  for 
the  surest  evidence  of  seamanship ;  and,  consequently,  he 
held  the  little  courtesies  and  punctilios  of  a  man-of-war  in 
high  disdain.  His  peculiar  duties  of  superintending  the 
expenditure  of  the  ship's  stores,  and  their  several  depart- 
ments, of  keeping  the  frigate's  log-book,  and  of  making  his 
daily  examinations  into  the  state  of  her  sails  and  rigging, 
brought  him  so  little  in  collision  with  the  gay,  laughing, 
reckless  young  lieutenants,  who  superintended  the  ordinary 

386 


Ubc  pilot 


387 


management  of  the  vessel,  that  he  might  be  said  to  have 
formed  a  distinct  species  of  the  animal,  though  certainly  of 
the  same  genus  with  his  more  polished  messmates.  When- 
ever circumstances,  however,  required  that  he  should  depart 
from  the  dull  routine  of  his  duty,  he  made  it  a  rule,  as  far 
as  possible,  to  associate  himself  with  such  of  the  crew  as 
possessed  habits  and  opinions  at  least  at  variance  with 
his  own. 

By  a  singular  fatality,  the  chaplain  of  the  frigate  was,  as 
respects  associates,  in  a  condition  nearly  assimilated  to  that 
of  this  veteran  tar. 

An  earnest  desire  to  ameliorate  the  situation  of  those  who 
were  doomed  to  meet  death  on  the  great  deep,  had  induced 
an  experienced  and  simple-hearted  divine  to  accept  this 
station,  in  the  fond  hope  that  he  might  be  made  the  favored 
instrument  of  salvation  to  many,  who  were  then  existing  in 
a  state  of  the  most  abandoned  self-forgetfulness.  Neithei* 
our  limits,  nor  our  present  object,  will  permit  the  relation  of 
the  many  causes  that  led,  not  only  to  an  entire  frustration  of 
all  his  visionary  expectations,  but  to  an  issue  which  rendered 
the  struggle  of  the  good  divine  with  himself  both  arduous 
and  ominous,  in  order  to  maintain  his  own  claims  to  the 
merited  distinctions  of  his  sacred  office.  The  consciousness 
of  his  backsliding  had  so  far  lessened  the  earthly,  if  not  the 
spiritual,  pride  of  the  chaplain,  as  to  induce  him  to  relish  the 
society  of  the  rude  master,  whose  years  had  brought  him,  at 
times,  to  take  certain  views  of  futurity,  that  were  singularly 
affected  by  the  peculiar  character  of  the  individual.  It  might 
have  been  that  both  found  themselves  out  of  their  places — 
but  it  was  owing  to  some  such  secret  sympathy,  let  its  origin 
be  what  it  would,  that  the  two  came  to  be  fond  of  each 
other's  company.  On  the  night  in  question,  Mr.  Boltrope 
had  invited  the  chaplain  to  accompany  him  in  the  Alacrity  ; 
adding,  in  his  broad  rough  language,  that  as  there  was  to 
be  fighting  on  shore,  '  *  his  hand  might  come  in  play  with 
some  poor  fellow  or  other. ' '  This  singular  invitation  had 
been  accepted,  as  well  from  a  desire  to  relieve  the  monotony 
of  a  sea  life  by  any  change,  as  perhaps  with  a  secret  yearning 
in  the  breast  of  the  troubled  divine,  to  get  as  nigh  to  ^erra 


388 


Ube  pilot 


firma  as  possible.  Accordingly,  after  the  Pilot  had  landed 
with  his  boisterous  party,  the  sailing-master  and  the  chap- 
lain, together  with  a  boatswain's  mate  and  some  ten  or 
twelve  seamen,  were  left  in  quiet  possession  of  the  cutter. 
The  first  few  hours  of  this  peaceable  intercourse  had  been 
spent  by  the  worthy  messmates,  in  the  little  cabin  of  the  ves- 
sel, over  a  can  of  grog  ;  the  savory  relish  of  which  was  much 
increased  by  a  characteristic  disquisition  on  polemical  sub- 
jects, which  our  readers  have  great  reason  to  regret  it  is  not 
our  present  humor  to  record.  When,  however,  the  winds 
invited  the  near  approach  to  the  hostile  shores  alreadj^  men- 
tioned, the  prudent  sailing-master  adjourned  the  discussion 
to  another  and  more  suitable  time,  removing  himself  and  the 
can,  by  the  same  operation,  to  the  quarter-deck. 

' '  There, ' '  cried  the  honest  tar,  placing  the  wooden  vessel, 
with  great  self-contentment,  by  his  side  on  the  deck,  ''this 
is  ship's  comfort  !  There  is  a  good  deal  of  what  I  call  a  lub- 
ber's fuss,  parson,  kept  up  on  board  a  ship  that  shall  be 
nameless,  but  which  bears,  about  three  leagues  distant,  broad 
off  in  the  ocean,  and  which  is  lying  to  under  a  close-reefed 
maintop-sail,  and  a  foretopmast-stay  sail  and  foresail — I  call 
my  hand  a  true  one  mixing  a  can — take  another  pull  at  the 
halyards  !  't  will  make  your  eye  twinkle  like  a  light-house, 
this  dark  morning  !  You  won't  ?  well,  we  must  give  no  of- 
fense to  the  Englishman's  rum."  After  a  potent  draught 
had  succeeded  this  considerate  declaration,  he  added,  "  You 
are  a  little  like  our  first  lieutenant,  parson,  who  drinks,  as  I 
call  it,  nothing  but  the  elements — which  is,  water  stiffened 
with  air. ' ' 

' '  Mr.  Griffith  may  indeed  be  said  to  set  a  wholesome 
example  to  the  crew,"  returned  the  chaplain,  perhaps  with 
a  slight  consciousness  that  it  had  not  altogether  possessed 
its  due  weight  with  himself. 

"Wholesome!"  cried  Boltrope ;  "let  me  tell  you,  my 
worthy  leaf-turner,  that  if  you  call  such  a  light  diet  whole- 
some, you  know  but  little  of  salt  water  and  sea  fogs  !  How- 
ever, Mr.  Griffith  is  a  seaman  ;  and  if  he  gave  his  mind  less 
to  trifles  and  gimcracks,  he  would  be,  by  the  time  he  got 
about  our  years,  a  very  rational  sort  of  a  companion.  But 


Ube  pilot 


389 


you  see,  parson,  just  now,  he  thinks  too  much  of  small  fol- 
lies ;  such  as  man-of-war  disciplyne.  Now  there  is  ration- 
ality in  giving  a  fresh  nip  to  a  rope,  or  in  looking  well  at 
your  mast,  or  even  in  crowning  a  cable  ;  but  damme,  priest, 
if  I  see  the  use — luff,  luff,  you  lubber  ;  don't  ye  see,  sir,  you 
are  steering  for  Garmany  ! — if  I  see  the  use  as  I  was  saying, 
of  making  a  rumpus  about  the  time  when  a  man  changes 
his  shirt ;  whether  it  be  this  week,  or  next  week,  or,  for  that 
matter,  the  week  after,  provided  it  be  bad  weather.  I  some- 
times am  mawkish  about  attending  muster  (and  I  believe  I 
have  as  little  to  fear  on  the  score  of  behavior  as  any  man), 
lest  it  should  be  found  I  carried  my  tobacco  in  the  wrong 
cheek  !  ' ' 

' '  I  have  indeed  thought  it  somewhat  troublesome  to  my- 
self, at  times  ;  and  it  is  in  a  striking  degree  vexatious  to 
the  spirit,  especially  when  the  body  has  been  suffering  under 
sea-sickness. ' ' 

' '  Why,  yes,  you  were  a  little  apt  to  bend  your  duds  wrong 
for  the  first  month,  or  so,"  said  the  master;  "  I  remember 
you  got  the  marine's  scraper  on  your  head,  once,  in  your 
hurry  to  bury  a  dead  man  !  Then  you  never  looked  as  if 
you  belonged  to  the  ship,  so  long  as  those  cursed  black  knee- 
breeches  lasted  !  For  my  part,  I  never  saw  you  come  up 
the  quarter-deck  ladder,  but  I  expected  to  see  your  shins  give 
way  across  the  combing  of  the  hatch — a  man  does  look  like 
the  devil,  priest,  scudding  about  a  ship's  decks  in  that  fash- 
ion, under  bare  poles  !  But  now  the  tailor  has  found  out  the 
articles  aren't  seaworthy,  and  we  have  got  your  lower 
stanchions  cased  in  a  pair  of  purser's  slops,  I  am  puzzled 
often  to  tell  your  heels  from  those  of  a  maintop-man  !  ' ' 

"  I  have  good  reason  to  be  thankful  for  the  change,"  said 
the  humbled  priest,  * '  if  the  resemblance  you  mention  ex- 
isted, while  I  was  clad  in  the  usual  garb  of  one  of  my  call- 
ing." 

"What  signifies  a  calling?"  returned  Boltrope,  catching 
his  breath  after  a  most  persevering  draught :  "  a  man's  shins 
are  his  shins,  let  his  upper  works  belong  to  what  sarvice 
they  may.  I  took  an  early  prejudyce  against  knee-breeches, 
perhaps  from  a  trick  I  've  always  had  of  figuring  the  devil 


390 


Zbc  pilot 


as  wearing  them.  You  know,  parson,  we  seldom  hear  much 
said  of  a  man,  without  forming  some  sort  of  an  idea  concern- 
ing his  rigging  and  fashion-pieces — and  so,  as  I  had  no  par- 
ticular reason  to  believe  that  Satan  went  naked — keep  full, 

ye  lubber  ;  now  you  are  running  into  the  eye,  and  be  d  d 

to  ye  !  But  as  I  was  saying,  I  always  took  a  conceit  that 
the  devil  wore  knee-breeches  and  a  cocked  hat.  There  's 
some  of  our  young  lieutenants,  who  come  to  muster  on  Sim- 
days  in  cocked  hats,  just  like  soldier-officers  ;  but  d'  ye  see, 
I  would  sooner  show  my  nose  under  a  night-cap  than  under 
a  scraper  !  " 

' '  I  hear  the  sound  of  oars  ! ' '  exclaimed  the  chaplain, 
who,  finding  this  image  more  distinct  than  even  his  own 
vivid  conceptions  of  the  great  father  of  evil,  was  quite  will- 
ing to  conceal  his  inferiority  by  changing  the  discourse  ;  "is 
not  one  of  our  boats  returning  ? ' ' 

' '  Ay  ay,  ' t  is  likely  ;  if  it  had  been  me,  I  should  have 
been  land-sick  before  this — wear  round,  boys,  and  stand  by 
to  heave  to  on  the  other  track." 

The  cutter,  obedient  to  her  helm,  fell  off  before  the  wind ; 
and  rolling  an  instant  in  the  trough  of  the  sea,  came  up 
again  easily  to  her  oblique  position,  with  her  head  towards 
the  cliffs  ;  and  gradually  losing  her  way,  as  her  sails  were 
brought  to  counteract  each  other,  finally  became  stationary. 
During  the  performance  of  this  evolution,  a  boat  had  hove 
up  out  of  the  gloom,  in  the  direction  of  the  land ;  and  by 
the  time  the  Alacrity  was  in  a  state  of  rest,  it  had  ap- 
proached so  nigh  as  to  admit  of  hailing. 

''Boat,  ahoy!  "  murmured  Boltrope,  through  a  trumpet, 
which,  aided  by  his  lungs,  produced  sounds  not  unlike  the 
roaring  of  a  bull. 

'*Ay,  ay,"  was  thrown  back  from  a  clear  voice,  that 
swept  across  the  water  with  a  fulness  that  needed  no  facti- 
tious aid  to  render  it  audible. 

''Ay,  there  comes  one  of  the  lieutenants  with  his  ay,  ay," 
said  Boltrope  !  "pipe  the  side,  there,  you  boatswain's  mate  ! 
But  here  's  another  fellow  more  on  our  quarter  !  boat,  ahoy  !  " 

' '  Alacrity  ! ' '  returned  another  voice,  in  a  direction  dif- 
ferent from  the  other. 


Ubc  pilot 


391 


Alacrity!  There  goes  my  commission  of  captain  of 
this  craft,  in  a  whiff, ' '  returned  the  sailing-master.  *  *  That 
is  as  much  as  to  say,  here  comes  one  who  will  command 
when  he  gets  on  board.  Well,  well,  it  is  Mr.  Griffith,  and 
I  can't  say,  notwithstanding  his  love  of  knee-buckles,  and 
small  wares,  but  I  'm  glad  he  's  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
English  !  Ay,  here  they  all  come  upon  us  at  once  !  here  is 
another  fellow,  that  pulls  like  the  jolly-boat,  coming  up  on 
our  lee-beam,  within  hail — let  us  see  if  he  is  asleep — boat, 
ahoy  ? ' ' 

' '  Flag, ' '  answered  a  third  voice  from  a  small,  light-rowing 
boat,  which  had  approached  very  near  the  cutter,  in  a  direct 
line  from  the  cliffs,  without  being  observed. 

* '  Flag  ! ' '  echoed  Boltrope,  dropping  his  trumpet  in  amaze- 
ment ;  "  that 's  a  big  word  to  come  out  of  a  jolly-boat !  Jack 
Manly  himself  could  not  have  spoken  it  with  a  fuller  mouth  ; 
but  I  '11  know  who  it  is  that  carries  such  a  weather  helm, 
with  a  Yankee  man-of  war's  prize  !     Boat,  ahoy  !  I  say." 

This  last  call  was  uttered  in  those  short,  menacing  tones 
that  are  intended  to  be  understood  as  intimating  that  the 
party  hailing  is  in  earnest ;  and  it  caused  the  men  who  were 
rowing,  and  who  were  now  quite  close  to  the  cutter,  to  sus- 
pend  their  strokes,  simultaneously,  as  if  they  dreaded  that 
the  cry  would  be  instantly  succeeded  by  some  more  efficient 
means  of  ascertaining  their  character.  The  figure  that  wa3 
seated  by  itself  in  the  stern  of  the  boat  started  at  this  second 
summons,  and  then,  as  if  with  sudden  recollection,  a  quiet 
voice  replied — 

"No— no." 

'**No — no,'  and  'flag,'  are  very  different  answers,'* 
grumbled  Boltrope  ;  * '  what  know-nothing  have  we  here  ? ' ' 

He  was  yet  muttering  his  dissatisfaction  at  the  ignorance 
of  the  individual  that  was  approaching,  whoever  it  might  be, 
when  the  jolly-boat  came  slowly  to  their  side,  and  the  Pilot 
stepped  from  the  stern-sheets  on  the  decks  of  the  prize. 

"Is  it  you,  Mr.  Pilot ? ' '  exclaimed  the  sailing-master, 
raising  a  battle-lantern  within  a  foot  of  the  other's  face,  and 
looking  with  a  sort  of  stupid  wonder  at  the  proud  and  angry 
eye  he  encountered ;  "it  is  you  !  well,  I  should  have  rated 


392 


Ube  pilot 


you  for  a  man  of  more  experience  than  to  come  booming 
down  upon  a  man-of-war  in  the  dark,  with  such  a  big  word 
in  your  mouth,  when  every  boy  in  the  two  vessels  knows  that 
we  carry  no  swallow- tailed  bunting  abroad  !  Flag  !  why 
you  might  have  got  a  shot,  had  there  been  soldiers." 

The  Pilot  threw  him  a  still  fiercer  glance,  and  turning 
away  with  a  look  of  disgust,  he  walked  along  the  quarter- 
deck towards  the  stern  of  the  vessel,  with  an  air  of  haughty 
silence,  as  if  disdaining  to  answer.  Boltrope  kept  his  eyes 
fastened  on  him  for  a  moment  longer,  with  some  appearance 
of  scorn,  but  the  arrival  of  the  boat  first  hailed,  which 
proved  to  be  the  barge,  immediately  drew  his  attention  to 
other  matters.  Barnstable  had  been  rowing  about  in  the 
ocean  for  a  long  time,  unable  to  find  the  cutter  ;  and  as  he 
had  been  compelled  to  suit  his  own  demeanor  to  those  with 
whom  he  was  associated,  he  reached  the  Alacrity  in  no  very 
good-humored  mood.  Colonel  Howard  and  his  niece  had 
maintained,  during  the  whole  period,  the  most  rigid  silence, 
the  former  from  pride,  and  the  latter  touched  with  her 
uncle's  evident  displeasure  ;  and  Katherine,  though  secretly 
elated  with  the  success  of  all  her  projects,  was  content  to 
emulate  their  demeanor  for  a  short  time,  in  order  to  save 
appearances.  Barnstable  had  several  times  addressed  him- 
self to  the  latter,  without  receiving  any  other  answer  than 
such  as  was  absolutely  necessary  to  prevent  the  lover  from 
taking  direct  ofience,  at  the  same  time  that  she  intimated  by 
her  manner  her  willingness  to  remain  silent.  Accordingly, 
the  lieutenant,  after  aiding  the  ladies  to  enter  the  cutter,  and 
offering  to  perform  the  same  service  for  Colonel  Howard, 
which  was  coldly  declined,  turned,  with  a  sort  of  irritation 
that  is  by  no  means  less  rare  in  vessels  of  war  than  with 
poor  human  nature  generally,  and  gave  vent  to  his  spleen 
where  he  dared. 

''How 's  this  !  Mr.  Boltrope  !  "  he  cried,  '*  here  are  boats 
coming  alongside  with  ladies  in  them,  and  you  keep  your 
gaff  swayed  up  till  the  leach  of  the  sail  is  stretched  like  a 
fiddle-string ;  settle  away  your  peak-halyards,  sir,  settle 
away  !  ' ' 

Ay,  ay,  sir,"  grumbled  the  master  ;  '*  settle  away  that 


XTbe  pilot 


393 


peak  there;  though  the  craft  would  n't  forge  ahead  a  knot 
in  a  month,  with  all  her  jibs  hauled  over!"  He  walked 
sulkily  forward  among  the  men,  followed  by  the  meek 
divine  :  and  added,  * '  I  should  as  soon  have  expected  to  see 
Mr.  Barnstable  come  off  with  a  live  ox  in  his  boat  as  a 
petticoat  !  The  Lord  only  knows  what  the  ship  is  coming 
to  next,  parson  !  what  between  cocked  hats  and  epaulettes, 
and  other  knee-buckle  matters,  she  was  a  sort  of  no  man's 
land  before ;  and  now,  what  with  the  women  and  their 
band-boxes,  they  '11  make  another  Noah's  ark  of  her.  I 
wonder  they  did  n't  all  come  aboard  in  a  coach  and  six,  or  a 
one  horse  shay  !  ' ' 

It  was  a  surprising  relief  to  Barnstable  to  be  able  to  give 
utterance  to  his  humor,  for  a  few  moments,  by  ordering  the 
men  to  make  sundry  alterations  in  every  department  of  the 
vessel,  in  a  quick,  hurried  voice,  that  abundantly  denoted, 
not  only  the  importance  of  his  improvements,  but  the  tem- 
per in  which  they  were  dictated.  In  his  turn,  however,  he 
was  soon  compelled  to  give  way,  by  the  arrival  of  Griffith 
in  the  heavily-rowing  launch  of  the  frigate,  which  was 
crowded  with  a  larger  body  of  the  seamen  who  had  been 
employed  in  the  expedition.  In  this  manner,  boat  after 
boat  speedily  arrived,  and  the  whole  party  were  once  more 
happily  embarked  in  safety  under  their  national  flag. 

The  small  cabin  of  the  Alacrity  was  relinquished  to 
Colonel  Howard  and  his  wards,  with  their  attendants.  The 
boats  were  dropped  astern,  each  protected  by  its  own  keeper ; 
and  Griffith  gave  forth  the  mandate  to  fill  the  sails  and  steer 
broad  off  into  the  ocean.  For  more  than  an  hour  the  cutter 
held  her  course  in  this  direction,  gliding  gracefully  through 
the  glittering  waters,  rising  and  settling  heavily  on  the  long, 
smooth  billows,  as  if  conscious  of  the  unusual  burden  that 
she  was  doomed  to  carry  ;  but  at  the  end  of  that  period  her 
head  was  once  more  brought  near  the  wind,  and  she  was 
again  held  at  rest,  awaiting  the  appearance  of  the  dawn,  in 
order  to  discover  the  position  of  the  prouder  vessel  on  which 
she  was  performing  the  humble  duty  of  a  tender.  More 
than  a  hundred  and  fifty  living  men  were  crowded  within 
\ier  narrow  limits ;  and  her  decks  presented  in  the  gloom, 


394 


Ube  iptlot 


as  slie  moved  along,  the  picture  of  a  mass  of  human 
heads. 

As  the  freedom  of  a  successful  expedition  was  unavoida- 
bly permitted,  loud  jokes,  and  louder  merriment,  broke  on 
the  silent  waters  from  the  reckless  seamen,  while  the  exhila- 
rating can  passed  from  hand  to  hand,  strange  oaths  and 
dreadful  denunciations  breaking  forth  at  times  from  some  of 
the  excited  crew  against  their  enemy.  At  length  the  bustle 
of  re-embarking  gradually  subsided,  and  many  of  the  crew 
descended  to  the  hold  of  the  cutter,  in  quest  of  room  to 
stretch  their  limbs,  when  a  clear,  manly  voice  was  heard 
rising  above  the  deep  in  those  strains  that  a  seaman  most 
loves  to  hear.  Air  succeeded  air,  from  different  voices, 
until  even  the  spirit  of  harmony  grew  dull  with  fatigue, 
and  verses  began  to  be  heard  where  songs  were  expected, 
and  fleeting  lines  succeeded  stanzas.  The  decks  were  soon 
covered  with  prostrate  men,  seeking  their  natural  rest  under 
the  open  heavens,  and  perhaps  dreaming,  as  they  yielded 
heavily  to  the  rolling  of  the  vessel,  of  scenes  of  other  times 
in  their  own  hemisphere.  The  dark  glances  of  Katherine 
were  concealed  beneath  her  falling  lids  ;  and  even  Cecilia, 
with  her  head  bowed  on  the  shoulder  of  her  cousin,  slept 
sweetly  in  innocence  and  peace.  Boltrope  groped  his  way 
into  the  hold  among  the  seamen,  where,  kicking  one  of  the 
most  fortunate  of  the  men  from  his  berth,  he  established 
himself  in  his  place  with  all  that  cool  indifference  to  the 
other's  comfort,  that  had  grown  with  his  experience,  from 
the  time  when  he  was  treated  thus  cavalierly  in  his  own 
person  to  the  present  moment.  In  this  manner  head  was 
dropped  after  head  on  the  planks,  the  guns,  or  on  whatever 
first  offered  for  a  pillow,  until  Griffith  and  Barnstable  alone 
were  left,  pacing  the  different  sides  of  the  quarter-deck  in 
haughty  silence. 

Never  did  a  morning  watch  appear  so  long  to  the  two 
young  sailors,  who  were  thus  deprived,  by  resentment  and 
pride,  of  that  frank  and  friendly  communion  that  had  for 
so  many  years  sweetened  the  tedious  hours  of  their  long 
and  at  times  dreary  service.  To  increase  the  embarrass- 
ment of  their  situation,  Cecilia  and  Katherine,  suffering  from 


XTbe  pilot 


395 


the  confinement  of  the  small  and  crowded  cabin,  sought  the 
purer  air  of  the  deck,  about  the  time  when  the  deepest 
sleep  had  settled  on  the  senses  of  the  wearied  mariners. 
They  stood,  leaning  against  the  taffrail,  discoursing  with 
each  other  in  low  and  broken  sentences  ;  but  a  sort  of  in- 
stinctive knowledge  of  the  embarrassment  which  existed 
between  their  lovers  caused  a  guarded  control  over  every 
look  or  gesture  which  might  be  construed  into  an  encour- 
agement for  one  of  the  young  men  to  advance  at  the  expense 
of  the  other.  Twenty  times,  however,  did  the  impatient 
Barnstable  feel  tempted  to  throw  off  the  awkward  restraint, 
and  approach  his  mistress  ;  but  in  each  instance  was  he 
checked  by  the  secret  consciousness  of  error,  as  well  as  by 
that  habitual  respect  for  superior  rank  that  forms  a  part  of 
the  nature  of  a  sea-officer.  On  the  other  hand,  Griffith 
manifested  no  intention  to  profit  by  this  silent  concession  in 
his  favor,  but  continued  to  pace  the  short  quarter-deck,  with 
strides  more  hurried  than  ever  ;  and  was  seen  to  throw  many 
an  impatient  glance  towards  that  quarter  of  the  heavens 
where  the  first  signs  of  the  lingering  day  might  be  expected 
to  appear.  At  length  Katherine,  with  a  ready  ingenuity, 
and  perhaps  with  some  secret  coquetry,  removed  the  embar- 
rassment, by  speaking  first,  taking  care  to  address  the  lover 
of  her  cousin  : — 

' '  How  long  are  we  condemned  to  these  limited  lodgings, 
Mr.  Griffith  ?  ' '  she  asked  ;  * '  truly,  there  is  a  freedom  in 
your  nautical  customs,  which,  to  say  the  least,  is  novel  to 
us  females,  who  have  been  accustomed  to  the  division  of 
space ! ' ' 

' '  The  instant  that  there  is  light  to  discover  the  frigate. 
Miss  Plowden,"  he  answered,  ''you  shall  be  transferred 
from  a  vessel  of  an  hundred,  to  one  of  twelve  hundred  tons. 
If  your  situation  there  be  less  comfortable  than  when  within 
the  walls  of  St.  Ruth,  you  will  not  forget  that  they  who 
live  on  the  ocean  claim  it  as  a  merit  to  despise  the  luxuries 
of  the  land." 

* '  At  least,  sir, ' '  returned  Katherine,  with  a  sweet  grace, 
which  she  well  knew  how  to  assume  on  occasion,  "  what  we 
shall  enjoy  will  be  sweetened  by  liberty  and  embellished  by 


39^ 


XTbe  pilot 


a  sailor's  hospitality.  To  me,  Cicely,  the  air  of  this  open 
sea  is  as  fresh  and  invigorating  as  if  it  were  wafted  from  our 
own  distant  America  !  " 

If  you  have  not  the  arm  of  a  patriot,  you  at  least  pos- 
sess a  most  loyal  imagination.  Miss  Plowden,"  said  Grifl&th 
laughing  ;  ' '  this  soft  breeze  blows  in  the  direction  of  the 
fens  of  Holland,  instead  of  the  broad  plains  of  America. 
Thank  God,  there  come  the  signs  of  day,  at  last !  unless 
the  currents  have  swept  the  ship  far  to  the  north,  we  shall 
surely  see  her  with  the  light." 

This  cheering  intelligence  drew  the  eyes  of  the  fair 
cousins  towards  the  east,  where  their  delighted  looks  were 
long  fastened,  while  they  watched  the  glories  of  the  sun 
rising  over  the  water.  As  the  morning  had  advanced,  a 
deeper  gloom  was  spread  across  the  ocean,  and .  the  stars 
were  gleaming  in  the  heavens  like  balls  of  twinkling  fire. 
But  now  a  streak  of  pale  light  showed  itself  along  the  hori- 
zon, growing  brighter,  and  widening  at  each  moment,  until 
long  fleecy  clouds  became  visible,  where  nothing  had  been 
seen  before  but  the  dim  base  of  the  arch  that  overhung  the 
dark  waters.  This  expanding  light,  which,  in  appearance, 
might  be  compared  to  a  silvery  opening  in  the  heavens,  was 
soon  tinged  with  a  pale  flush,  which  quickened  with  sudden 
transitions  into  glows  yet  deeper,  until  a  belt  of  broad  flame 
bounded  the  water,  diffusing  itself  more  faintly  towards  the 
zenith,  where  it  melted  into  the  pearl-colored  sky,  or  played 
on  the  fantastic  volumes  of  a  few  light  clouds  with  incon- 
stant glimmering.  While  these  beautiful  transitions  were 
still  before  the  eyes  of  the  youthful  admirers  of  their  beau- 
ties, a  voice  was  heard  above  them,  crying  as  if  from  the 
heavens — 

"  Sail  ho  !    The  frigate  lies  broad  off"  to  seaward,  sir  !  " 

"  Ay,  ay  ;  you  have  been  watching  with  one  eye  asleep, 
fellow,"  returned  Griffith,  "or  we  should  have  heard  you 
before  !  Look  a  little  north  of  the  place  where  the  glare 
of  the  sun  is  coming.  Miss  Plowden,  and  you  will  be  able  to 
see  our  gallant  vessel." 

An  involuntary  cry  of  pleasure  burst  from  the  lips  of 
Katherine,  as  she  followed  his  directions,  and  first  beheld 


XTbe  pilot 


397 


the  frigate  through  the  medium  of  the  fluctuating  colors  of 
the  morning.  The  undulating  outline  of  the  lazy  ocean, 
which  rose  and  fell  heavily  against  the  bright  boundary  of 
the  heavens,  was  without  any  relief  to  distract  the  eye  as  it 
fed  eagerly  on  the  beauties  of  the  solitary  ship.  She  was 
riding  sluggishly  on  the  long  seas,  with  only  two  of  her 
lower  and  smaller  sails  spread,  to  hold  her  in  command ; 
but  her  tall  masts  and  heavy  yards  were  painted  against  the 
fiery  sky  in  strong  lines  of  deep  black,  while  even  the 
smallest  cord  in  the  mazes  of  her  rigging  might  be  distinctly 
traced,  stretching  from  spar  to  spar,  with  the  beautiful  accu- 
racy of  a  picture.  At  moments,  when  her  huge  hull  rose 
on  a  billow,  and  was  lifted  against  the  background  of  sky, 
its  shape  and  dimensions  were  brought  into  view  ;  but  these 
transient  glimpses  were  soon  lost,  as  it  settled  into  the 
trough,  leaving  the  waving  spars  bowing  gracefully  towards 
the  waters,  as  if  about  to  follow  the  vessel  into  the  bosom 
of  the  deep.  As  a  clearer  light  gradually  stole  on  the 
senses,  the  delusion  of  colors  and  distance  vanished  together, 
and  when  a  flood  of  day  preceded  the  immediate  appearance 
of  the  sun,  the  ship  became  plainly  visible  within  a  mile  of 
the  cutter,  her  black  hull  checkered  with  ports,  and  her 
high,  tapering  masts  exhibiting  their  proper  proportions  and 
hues. 

At  the  first  cry  of  "  A  sail !  ' '  the  crew  of  the  Alacrity 
had  been  aroused  from  their  slumbers  by  the  shrill  whistle 
of  the  boatswain,  and  long  before  the  admiring  looks  of  the 
two  cousins  had  ceased  to  dwell  on  the  fascinating  sight  of 
morning  chasing  night  from  the  hemisphere,  the  cutter  was 
again  in  motion  to  join  her  consort.  It  seemed  but  a 
moment  before  their  little  vessel  was  in  what  the  timid 
females  thought  a  dangerous  proximity  to  the  frigate,  under 
whose  lee  she  slowly  passed,  in  order  to  admit  of  the  follow- 
ing dialogue  between  Grifiith  and  his  aged  commander  : — 

"I  rejoice  to  see  3^ou,  Mr.  Griffith,"  cried  the  captain, 
who  stood  in  the  channel  of  his  ship,  waving  his  hat  in  the 
way  of  cordial  greeting.  "You  are  welcome  back,  Captain 
Manual  ;  welcome,  welcome,  all  of  you,  my  boys  !  as  wel- 
;iome  as  a  breeze  in  the  calm  latitudes."    As  his  eye,  how- 


398 


Ube  pilot 


ever  passed  along  the  deck  of  the  Alacrity,  it  encountered 
the  shrinking  figures  of  Cecilia  and  Katherine  ;  and  a  dark 
shade  of  displeasure  crossed  his  decent  features,  while  he 
added,  "  How 's  this,  gentlemen?  The  frigate  of  Congress 
is  neither  a  ball-room,  nor  a  church,  that  is  to  be  thronged 
with  women  !  " 

'*Ay,  ay,"  muttered  Boltrope  to  his  friend  the  chaplain, 
now  the  old  man  has  hauled  out  his  mizzen,  you  '11  see  him 
carry  a  weather  helm  !  He  wakes  up  about  as  often  as  the 
trades  shift  their  points,  and  that 's  once  in  six  months.  But 
when  there  has  been  a  neap-tide  in  his  temper  for  any  time, 
you  're  sure  to  find  it  followed  by  a  flood  with  a  vengeance. 
lyCt  us  hear  what  the  first  lieutenant  can  say  in  favor  of  his 
petticoat  quality  ! ' ' 

The  blushing  sky  had  not  exhibited  a  more  fiery  glow 
than  gleamed  in  the  fine  face  of  Grifiith  for  a  moment ;  but 
struggling  with  his  disgust,  he  answered  with  bitter  empha- 
sis— 

"  'T  was  the  pleasure  of  Mr.  Gray,  sir,  to  bring  off  the 
prisoners. ' ' 

*'OfMr.  Gray!"  repeated  the  captain,  instantly  losing 
every  trace  of  displeasure  in  an  air  of  acquiescence. 
**  Come-to,  sir,  on  the  same  tack  with  the  ship,  and  I  will 
hasten  to  order  the  accommodation-ladder  rigged,  to  receive 
our  guests  ! ' ' 

Boltrope  listened  to  this  sudden  alteration  in  the  language 
of  his  commander  with  sufficient  wonder  ;  nor  was  it  until 
he  had  shaken  his  head  repeatedly,  with  the  manner  of  one 
who  saw  deeper  than  his  neighbors  into  a  mystery,  that  he 
found  leisure  to  observe—^ 

Now,  parson,  I  suppose  if  you  held  an  almanac  in  your 
fist,  you  'd  think  you  could  tell  which  way  we  shall  have  the 
wind  to-morrow  !  but  damme,  priest,  if  better  calculators 
than  you  have  n't  failed  !  Because  a  lubberly — no,  he 's  a 
thorough  seaman,  I  '11  say  that  for  the  fellow ! — because  a 
pilot  chooses  to  say,  *  Bring  me  off  these  here  women,'  the 
ship  is  to  be  so  cluttered  with  she-cattle,  that  a  man  will  be 
obligated  to  spend  half  his  time  in  making  his  manners. 
Now  mind  what  I  tell  you,  priest,  this  very  frolic  will  cost 


CTbe  pilot 


399 


Congress  the  price  of  a  year's  wages  for  an  able-bodied  sea- 
man, in  bunting  and  canvas  for  screens  ;  besides  the  wear 
and  tear  of  running-gear  in  shortening  sail,  in  order  that 
the  women  need  not  be  'stericky  in  squalls  !  " 

The  presence  of  Mr.  Boltrope  being  required  to  take 
charge  of  the  cutter,  the  divine  was  denied  an  opportunity 
of  dissenting  from  the  opinions  of  his  rough  companion  ;  for 
the  loveliness  of  their  novel  shipmates  had  not  failed  to  plead 
loudly  in  their  favor  with  every  man  in  the  cutter  whose 
habits  and  ideas  had  not  become  rigidly  set  in  obstinacy. 

By  the  time  the  Alacrity  was  hove-to,  with  her  head 
towards  the  frigate,  the  long  line  of  boats  that  she  had  been 
towing  during  the  latter  part  of  the  night,  were  brought  to 
her  side,  and  filled  with  men.  A  wild  scene  of  unbridled 
merriment  and  gayety  succeeded,  while  the  seamen  were 
exchanging  the  confinement  of  the  prize  for  their  accustomed 
lodgings  in  the  ship,  during  which  the  reins  of  discipline 
were  slightly  relaxed.  I^oud  laughter  was  echoed  from  boat 
to  boat,  as  they  glided  by  each  other  ;  and  rude  jests,  inter- 
larded with  quaint  humors  and  strange  oaths,  were  freely 
bandied  from  mouth  to  mouth.  The  noise,  however,  soon 
ceased,  and  the  passage  of  Colonel  Howard  and  his  wards 
was  then  effected  with  less  precipitancy  and  due  decorum. 
Captain  Munson,  who  had  been  holding  a  secret  dialogue 
with  Grifiith  and  the  Pilot,  received  his  unexpected  guests 
with  plain  hospitality,  but  with  an  evident  desire  to  be  civil. 
He  politely  yielded  to  their  service  his  two  convenient  state- 
rooms, and  invited  them  to  partake,  in  common  with  himself^ 
of  the  comforts  of  the  great  cabin. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 


**  Furious  press  the  hostile  squadron, 
Furious  he  repels  their  rage, 
Loss  of  blood  at  length  enfeebles  ; 
Who  can  war  with  thousands  wage  ?  " 

Spanish  War  Song. 

WE  cannot  detain  the  narrative,  to  detail  the  scenes 
which  busy  wonder,  aided  by  the  relation  of 
divers  marvellous  feats,  produced  among  the 
curious  seamen  who  remained  in  the  ship,  and 
their  more  fortunate  fellows  who  had  returned  in  glory  from 
an  expedition  to  the  land.  For  nearly  an  hour  the  turbu- 
lence of  a  general  movement  was  heard,  issuing  from  the 
deep  recesses  of  the  frigate,  and  the  boisterous  sounds  of 
hoarse  merriment  were  listened  to  by  the  officers  in  indul- 
gent silence  ;  but  all  these  symptoms  of  unbridled  humor 
ceased  by  the  time  the  morning  repast  was  ended,  when  the 
regular  sea-watch  was  set,  and  the  greater  portion  of  those 
whose  duty  did  not  require  their  presence  on  the  vessel's 
deck,  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  repair  the  loss 
of  sleep  sustained  in  the  preceding  night.  Still  no  prepara- 
tions were  made  to  put  the  ship  in  motion,  though  long  and 
earnest  consultations,  which  were  supposed  to  relate  to  their 
future  destiny,  were  observed  by  the  younger  officers  to  be 
held  between  their  captain,  the  first  lieutenant,  and  the  mys- 
terious Pilot.  The  latter  threw  many  an  anxious  glance 
along  the  eastern  horizon,  searching  it  minutely  with  his 
glass,  and  then  would  turn  his  impatient  looks  at  the  low, 
dense  bank  of  fog,  which,  stretching  across  the  ocean  like  a 
barrier  of  cloud,  entirely  intercepted  the  view  towards  the 
south.    To  the  north  and  along  the  land  the  air  was  clear, 


Ubc  pilot 


401 


and  the  sea  without  spot  of  any  kind ;  but  in  the  east  a 
small  white  sail  had  been  discovered  since  the  opening  of 
day,  which  was  gradually  rising  above  the  water,  and  as- 
suming the  appearance  of  a  vessel  of  some  size.  Every  of- 
ficer on  the  quarter-deck  in  his  turn  had  examined  this 
distant  sail,  and  had  ventured  an  opinion  on  its  destination 
and  character  ;  and  even  Katherine,  who  with  her  cousin 
was  enjoying,  in  the  open  air,  the  novel  beauties  of  the 
ocean,  had  been  tempted  to  place  her  sparkling  eye  to  a 
glass,  to  gaze  at  the  stranger. 

"  It  is  a  collier,"  Griffith  said,  "  who  has  hauled  from  the 
land  in  the  late  gale,  and  who  is  luffing  up  to  his  course 
again.  If  the  wind  holds  here  in  the  south,  and  he  does 
not  get  into  that  fog-bank,  we  can  stand  off  for  him  and  get 
a  supply  of  fuel  before  eight  bells  are  struck." 

' '  I  think  his  head  is  to  the  northward,  and  that  he  is 
steering  off  the  \vdnd,"  returned  the  Pilot,  in  a  musing  man- 
ner. "  If  that  Dillon  succeeded  in  getting  his  express  far 
enough  along  the  coast,  the  alarm  has  been  spread,  and  we 
must  be  wary.  The  convoy  of  the  Baltic  trade  is  in  the 
North  Sea,  the  news  of  our  presence  could  easily  have  been 
taken  off  to  it  by  some  of  the  cutters  that  line  the  coast.  I 
could  wish  to  get  the  ship  as  far  south  as  the  Helder  !  ' ' 

"Then  we  lose  this  weather  tide  !  "  exclaimed  the  impa- 
tient Griffith  ;  ' '  Surely  we  have  the  cutter  as  a  lookout ! 
besides,  by  beating  into  the  fog,  we  shall  lose  the  enemy,  if 
enemy  it  be,  and  it  is  thought  meet  for  an  American  frigate 
to  skulk  from  her  foes  !  " 

The  scornful  expression  that  kindled  the  eye  of  the  Pilot, 
like  a  gleam  of  sunshine  lighting  for  an  instant  some  dark 
dell  and  laying  bare  its  secrets,  was  soon  lost  in  the  usually 
quiet  look  of  his  glance,  though  he  hesitated,  like  one  who 
was  struggling  with  his  passions,  before  he  answered — 

' '  If  prudence  and  the  servdce  of  the  States  require  it,  even 
this  proud  frigate  must  retreat  and  hide  from  the  meanest  of 
her  enemies.  M^^  advice,  Captain  Munson,  is  that  3^ou  make 
sail,  and  beat  the  ship  to  windward,  as  Mr.  Griffith  has 
suggested,  and  that  you  order  the  cutter  to  precede  us, 

keeping  more  in  with  the  land. ' ' 

36 


402 


Ube  pilot 


The  aged  seaman,  who  evidently  suspended  his  orders, 
only  to  receive  an  intimation  of  the  other's  pleasure,  imme- 
diately commanded  his  youthful  assistant  to  issue  the  neces- 
sary mandates  to  put  these  measures  in  force.  Accordingly, 
the  Alacrity,  which  vessel  had  been  left  under  the  command 
of  the  junior  lieutenant  of  the  frigate,  was  quickly  under 
way  ;  and,  making  short  stretches  to  windward,  she  soon 
entered  the  bank  of  fog,  and  was  lost  to  the  eye.  In  the 
meantime  the  canvas  of  the  ship  was  loosened,  and  spread 
leisurely,  in  order  not  to  disturb  the  portion  of  the  crew  who 
were  sleeping ;  and,  following  her  little  consort,  she  moved 
heavily  through  the  water,  bearing  up  against  the  dull 
breeze. 

The  quiet  of  regular  duty  had  succeeded  to  the  bustle  of 
making  sail ;  and,  as  the  rays  of  the  sun  fell  less  obliquely 
on  the  distant  land,  Katherine  and  Cecilia  were  amusing 
Griffith  by  vain  attempts  to  point  out  the  rounded  emi- 
nences which  they  fancied  lay  in  the  vicinity  of  the  deserted 
mansion  of  St.  Ruth.  Barnstable,  who  had  resumed  his 
former  station  in  the  frigate,  as  her  second  lieutenant,  was 
pacing  the  opposite  side  of  the  quarter-deck,  holding  undei 
his  arm  the  speaking-trumpet,  which  denoted  that  he  held 
the  temporary  control  of  the  motions  of  the  ship,  and 
inwardly  cursing  the  restraint  that  kept  him  from  the  side 
of  his  mistress.  At  this  moment  of  universal  quiet,  when 
nothing  above  low  dialogues  interrupted  the  dashing  of  the 
waves  as  they  were  thrown  lazily  aside  by  the  bows  of  the 
vessel,  the  report  of  a  light  cannon  burst  out  of  the  barrier 
of  fog,  and  rolled  by  them  on  the  breeze,  apparently  vibra- 
ting with  the  rising  and  sinking  of  the  waters. 

"  There  goes  the  cutter  !  "  exclaimed  Griffith,  the  instant 
the  sound  was  heard. 

"Surely,"  said  the  captain,  Somers  is  not  so  indiscreet 
as  to  scale  his  guns,  after  the  caution  he  has  received  ! ' ' 

"No  idle  scaling  of  guns  is  intended  there,"  said  the 
Pilot,  straining  his  eyes  to  pierce  the  fog,  but  soon  turning 
away  in  disappointment  at  his  inability  to  succeed,  '  *  that 
gun  is  shotted,  and  has  been  fired  in  the  hurry  of  a  sudden 
signal !    can  your  lookouts  see  nothing,  Mr.  Barnstable?  '* 


XTbe  pilot 


403 


The  lieutenant  of  the  watch  hailed  the  man  aloft,  and 
demanded  if  anything  were  visible  in  the  direction  of  the 
wind,  and  received  for  answer,  that  the  fog  intercepted  the 
view  in  that  quarter  of  the  heavens,  but  that  the  sail  in  the 
east  was  a  ship,  running  large,  or  before  the  wind.  The 
Pilot  shook  his  head  doubtingly  at  this  information,  but 
still  he  manifested  a  strong  reluctance  to  relinquish  the 
attempt  of  getting  more  to  the  southward.  Again  he  com- 
muned with  the  commander  of  the  frigate,  apart  from  all 
other  ears ;  and  while  they  yet  deliberated,  a  second  report 
was  heard,  leaving  no  doubt  that  the  Alacrity  was  firing 
signal-guns  for  their  particular  attention. 

Perhaps,"  said  Grifiith,  **he  wishes  to  point  out  his 
position,  or  to  ascertain  ours  ;  believing  that  we  are  lost  like 
himself  in  the  mist." 

' '  We  have  our  compasses  ! ' '  returned  the  doubting  cap- 
tain ;  * '  Somers  has  a  meaning  in  what  he  says  ! ' ' 

"See!"  cried  Katherine,  with  girlish  delight,  ''see,  my 
cousin !  see,  Barnstable !  how  beautifully  that  vapor  is 
wreathing  itself  in  clouds  above  the  smoky  line  of  fog ! 
It  stretches  already  into  the  very  heavens  like  a  lofty 
pyramid  !  " 

Barnstable  sprang  lightly  on  a  gun,  as  he  repeated  her 
words — 

* '  Pyramids  of  fog  !  and  wreathing  clouds  !  By  Heaven  ! ' ' 
he  shouted,  "'tis  a  tall  ship!  Royals,  skysails,  and  stud- 
ding-sails all  abroad !  She  is  within  a  mile  of  us,  and 
comes  down  like  a  race-horse,  with  a  spanking-breeze, 
dead  before  it !  Now  know  we  why  Somers  is  speaking 
in  the  mist !  " 

"Ay,"  cried  Griffith,  "and  there  goes  the  Alacrity,  just 
breaking  out  of  the  fog,  hovering  in  for  the  land  ! ' ' 

"  There  is  a  mighty  hull  under  all  that  cloud  of  canvas, 
Captain  Munson,"  said  the  observant  but  calm  Pilot;  "it 
Is  time,  gentlemen,  to  edge  away  to  leeward." 

"What,  before  we  know  from  whom  we  run!"  cried 
Griffith ;  ' '  my  life  on  it,  there  is  no  single  ship  King 
George  owns,  but  would  tire  of  the  sport  before  she  had 
played  a  full  game  of  bowls  with — " 


404 


Ube  pilot 


The  haughty  air  of  the  young  man  was  daunted  by  the 
severe  look  he  encountered  in  the  eye  of  the  Pilot,  and  he 
suddenly  ceased,  though  inwardly  chafing  with  impatient 
pride. 

'  *  The  same  eye  that  detected  the  canvas  above  the  fog, 
might  have  seen  the  flag  of  a  vice-admiral  fluttering  still 
nearer  the  heavens,"  returned  the  collected  stranger  ;  "  and 
England,  faulty  as  she  may  be,  is  yet  too  generous  to  place 
a  flag-ofiicer  in  time  of  war  in  command  of  a  frigate,  or  a 
captain  in  command  of  a  fleet.  She  knows  the  value  of 
those  who  shed  their  blood  in  her  behalf,  and  it  is  thus  that 
she  is  so  well  served  !  Believe  me,  Captain  Munson,  there 
is  nothing  short  of  a  ship  of  the  line  under  that  symbol  of 
rank,  and  that  broad  show  of  canvas  !  " 

' '  We  shall  see,  sir,  we  shall  see, ' '  returned  the  old  ofiicer, 
whose  manner  grew  decided,  as  the  danger  appeared  to 
thicken  ;  ''beat  to  quarters,  Mr.  Griffith,  for  we  have  none 
but  enemies  to  expect  on  this  coast." 

The  order  was  instantly  issued,  when  Griffith  remarked, 
with  a  more  temperate  zeal — 

' '  If  Mr.  Gray  be  right,  we  shall  have  reason  to  thank 
God  that  we  are  so  light  of  heel ! ' ' 

The  cry  of  "  a  strange  vessel  close  aboard  the  frigate," 
having  already  flown  down  the  hatches,  the  ship  was  in  an 
uproar  at  the  first  tap  of  the  drum.  The  seamen  threw 
themselves  from  their  hammocks,  and  lashing  them  rapidly 
into  long,  hard  bundles,  they  rushed  to  the  decks,  where 
they  were  dexterously  stowed  in  the  netting,  to  aid  the 
defences  of  the  upper  part  of  the  vessel.  While  this  tumul- 
tuous scene  was  exhibiting,  Griffith  gave  a  secret  order 
to  Merry,  who  disappeared,  leading  his  trembling  cousins  to 
a  place  of  safety  in  the  inmost  depths  of  the  ship. 

The  guns  were  cleared  of  their  lumber,  and  loosened. 
The  bulk-heads  were  knocked  down,  and  the  cabin  re- 
lieved of  its  furniture ;  and  the  gun-deck  exhibited  one 
unbroken  line  of  formidable  cannon,  arranged  in  all  the 
order  of  a  naval  battery  ready  to  engage.  Arm-chests 
were  thrown  open,  and  the  decks  strewed  with  pikes,  cut- 
lasses, pistols,  and  all  the  various  weapons  for  boarding. 


Ube  pilot 


405 


In  short,  the  yards  were  slung,  and  every  other  arrange- 
ment was  made  with  a  readiness  and  dexterity  that  were 
actually  wonderful,  though  all  was  performed  amid  an 
appearance  of  disorder  and  confusion  that  rendered  the  ship 
another  Babel  during  the  continuance  of  the  preparations. 
In  a  very  few  minutes  everything  was  completed,  and 
even  the  voices  of  the  men  ceased  to  be  heard  answering 
to  their  names,  as  they  were  mustered  at  their  stations,  by 
their  respective  officers.  Gradually  the  ship  became  as 
quiet  as  the  grave  ;  and  when  even  Griffith  or  his  comman- 
der found  it  necessary  to  speak,  their  voices  were  calmer, 
and  their  tones  more  mild  than  usual.  The  course  of  the 
vessel  was  changed  to  an  oblique  line  from  that  in  which 
their  enemy  was  approaching,  though  the  appearance  of  flight 
was  to  be  studiously  avoided  to  the  last  moment.  When 
nothing  further  remained  to  be  done,  every  eye  became  fixed 
on  the  enormous  pile  of  swelling  canvas  that  was  rising,  in 
cloud  over  cloud,  far  above  the  fog,  and  which  was  mani- 
festly moving,  like  driving  vapor,  swiftly  to  the  north. 
Presently  the  dull,  smoky  boundary  of  the  mist  which 
rested  on  the  water  was  pushed  aside  in  vast  volumes,  and 
the  long  taper  spars  that  projected  from  the  bowsprit  of  the 
strange  ship  issued  from  the  obscurity,  and  were  quickly 
followed  by  the  whole  of  the  enormous  fabric  to  which  they 
were  merel)^  light  appendages.  For  a  moment,  streaks  of 
reluctant  vapor  clung  to  the  huge  floating  pile ;  but  they 
were  soon  shaken  off  by  the  rapid  vessel,  and  the  whole  of 
her  black  hull  became  distinct  to  the  eye. 

"  One,  two,  three  rows  of  teeth  !  "  said  Bol trope,  deliber- 
ately counting  the  tiers  of  guns  that  bristled  along  the  sides 
of  the  enemy ;  "a  three-decker Jack  Manly  would  show 
his  stern  to  such  a  fellow  !  and  even  the  bloody  Scotchman 
would  run  ! ' ' 

* '  Hard  up  with  your  helm,  quartermaster  !  ' '  cried  Cap- 
tain Munson  ;  ' '  there  is  indeed  no  time  to  hesitate,  with 
such  an  enemy  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  !  Turn  the  hands 
up,  Mr.  Griffith,  and  pack  on  the  ship  from  her  trucks  to 
her  lower  studding-sail  booms.  Be  stirring,  sir,  be  stirring  I 
Hard  up  with  your  helm  !  Hard  up,  and  be  damned  to  you  ! ' ' 


4o6 


Ube  pilot 


The  unusual  earnestness  of  their  aged  commander  acted 
on  the  startled  crew  like  a  voice  from  the  deep,  and  they 
waited  not  for  the  usual  signals  of  the  boatswain  and  drum- 
mer to  be  given,  before  they  broke  away  from  their  guns, 
and  rushed  tumultuously  to  aid  in  spreading  the  desired 
canvas.  There  was  one  minute  of  ominous  confusion,  that 
to  an  inexperienced  eye  would  have  foreboded  the  destruc- 
tion of  all  order  in  the  vessel,  during  which  every  hand, 
and  each  tongue,  seemed  in  motion  ;  but  it  ended  in  opening 
the  immense  folds  of  light  duck  which  were  displayed  along 
the  whole  line  of  the  masts,  far  beyond  the  ordinary  sails, 
overshadowing  the  waters  for  a  great  distance,  on  either  side 
of  the  vessel.  During  the  moment  of  inaction  that  suc- 
ceeded this  sudden  exertion,  the  breeze,  which  had  brought 
up  the  three- decker,  fell  fresher  on  the  sails  of  the  frigate, 
and  she  started  away  from  her  dangerous  enemy  with  a  very 
perceptible  advantage  in  point  of  sailing. 

' '  The  fog  rises  ! ' '  cried  Griffith  ;  ' '  give  us  but  the  wind 
for  an  hour,  and  we  shall  run  her  out  of  gunshot ! ' ' 

* '  These  nineties  are  very  fast  off  the  wind, ' '  returned  the 
captain,  in  a  low  tone,  that  was  intended  only  for  the  ears 
of  his  first  lieutenant  and  the  Pilot ;  ' '  and  we  shall  have  a 
struggle  for  it. ' ' 

The  quick  eye  of  the  stranger  was  glancing  over  the 
movements  of  his  enemy,  while  he  answered — 

He  finds  we  have  the  heels  of  him  already  !  he  is  mak- 
ing ready,  and  we  shall  be  fortunate  to  escape  a  broadside  ! 
Let  her  yaw  a  little,  Mr.  Griffith ;  touch  her  lightly  with 
the  helm  ;  if  we  are  raked,  sir,  we  are  lost  !  " 

The  captain  sprang  on  the  taffrail  of  his  ship  with  the 
activity  of  a  younger  man,  and  in  an  instant  he  perceived 
the  truth  of  the  other's  conjecture. 

Both  vessels  now  ran  for  a  few  minutes,  keenly  watching 
each  other's  motions  like  two  skilful  combatants  ;  the  Eng- 
lish ship  making  slight  deviations  from  the  line  of  her 
course,  and  then,  as  her  movements  were  anticipated  by  th^ 
other,  turning  as  cautiously  in  the  opposite  direction,  until 
a  sudden  and  wide  sweep  of  her  huge  bows  told  the  Ameri- 
cans plainly  on  which  tack  to  expect  her.     Captain  Munson 


XTbe  pilot 


407 


made  a  silent  but  impressive  gesture  with  his  arm,  as  if  the 
crisis  were  too  important  for  speech,  which  indicated  to  the 
watchful  Griffith  the  way  he  wished  the  frigate  sheered,  to 
avoid  the  weight  of  the  impending  danger.  Both  vessels 
whirled  swiftly  up  to  the  wind,  with  their  heads  towards  the 
land ;  and  as  the  huge  black  side  of  the  three-decker  check- 
ered with  its  triple  batteries,  frowned  full  upon  her  foe,  it 
belched  forth  a  flood  of  fire  and  smoke,  accompanied  by  a 
bellowing  roar  that  mocked  the  surly  moanings  of  the 
sleeping  ocean.  The  nerves  of  the  bravest  man  in  the 
frigate  contracted  their  fibres,  as  the  hurricane  of  iron 
hurtled  by  them,  and  each  eye  appeared  to  gaze  in  stupid 
wonder,  as  if  tracing  the  flight  of  the  swift  engines  of  de- 
struction. But  the  voice  of  Captain  Munson  was  heard  in 
the  din,  shouting  while  he  waved  his  hat  earnestly  in  the 
required  direction — 

' '  Meet  her  !  meet  her  with  the  helm,  boy  !  meet  her,  Mr. 
Griffith,  meet  her  !  " 

Griffith  had  so  far  anticipated  this  movement,  as  to  have 
already  ordered  the  head  of  the  frigate  to  be  turned  in  its 
former  course,  when,  struck  by  the  unearthly  cry  of  the  last 
tones  uttered  by  his  commander,  he  bent  his  head,  and  be- 
held the  venerable  seaman  driven  through  the  air,  his  hat 
still  waving,  his  gray  hair  floating  in  the  wind,  and  his  eye 
set  in  the  wild  look  of  death. 

"  Great  God  !  "  exclaimed  the  young  man,  rushing  to  the 
side  of  the  ship,  where  he  was  just  in  time  to  see  the  lifeless 
body  disappear  in  the  waters  that  were  dyed  in  its  blood ; 
* '  he  has  been  struck  by  a  shot !  lyower-away  the  boat, 
lower-away  the  jolly-boat,  the  barge,  the  tiger,  the — " 

"  'Tis  useless,"  interrupted  the  calm  deep  voice  of  the 
Pilot;  "he  has  met  a  warrior's  end,  and  he  sleeps  in  a 
sailor's  grave  !  The  ship  is  getting  before  the  wind  again, 
and  the  enemy  is  keeping  his  vessel  away. ' ' 

The  youthful  lieutenant  was  recalled  by  these  words  to 
his  duty,  and  reluctantly  turned  his  eyes  away  from  the 
bloody  spot  on  the  waters,  which  the  busy  frigate  had  al- 
ready passed,  to  resume  the  command  of  the  vessel  with  S 
forced  composure. 


4o8 


Zbc  mot 


"  He  has  cut  some  of  our  running  gear,"  said  tlie  master^ 
whose  eye  had  never  ceased  to  dwell  on  the  spars  and  rig- 
ging of  the  ship ;  and  there  's  a  splinter  out  of  the  main- 
topmast,  that  is  big  enough  for  a  fid  !  He  has  let  daylight 
through  some  of  our  canvas  too  ;  but,  taking  it  by-and-large, 
the  squall  has  gone  over  and  little  harm  done.  Did  n't 
I  hear  something  said  of  Captain  Munson  getting  jammed 
by  a  shot?" 

"He  is  killed  !  "  said  Griffith,  speaking  in  a  voice  that 
was  yet  husky  with  horror  ;  "  he  is  dead,  sir,  and  carried 
overboard  ;  there  is  more  need  that  we  forget  not  ourselves, 
in  this  crisis." 

* '  Dead  ! ' '  said  Bol trope,  suspending  the  operation  of  his 
active  jaws  for  a  moment,  in  surprise  ;  "  and  buried  in  a  wet 
jacket  !  Well,  it  is  lucky  't  is  no  worse  ;  for  damme  if  I  did 
not  think  every  stick  in  the  ship  would  have  been  cut  out 
of  her!  " 

With  this  consolatory  remark  on  his  lips,  the  master 
walked  slowly  forward,  continuing  his  orders  to  repair  the 
damages  with  a  singleness  of  purpose  that  rendered  him, 
however  uncouth  as  a  friend,  an  invaluable  man  in  his 
station. 

Griffith  had  not  yet  brought  his  mind  to  the  calmness 
that  was  so  essential  to  discharge  the  duties  which  had  thus 
suddenly  and  awfully  devolved  on  him,  when  his  elbow  was 
lightly  touched  by  the  Pilot,  who  had  drawn  closer  to  his 
side. 

* '  The  enemy  appear  satisfied  with  the  experiment, ' '  said 
the  stranger  ;  ' '  and  as  we  work  the  quicker  of  the  two,  he 
loses  too  much  ground  to  repeat  it,  if  he  be  a  true  seaman." 

' '  And  yet  as  he  finds  we  leave  him  so  fast, ' '  returned 
Griffith,  "  he  must  see  that  all  his  hopes  rest  in  cutting  us 
up  aloft.  I  dread  that  he  will  come  by  the  wind  again,  and 
lay  us  under  his  broadside  ;  we  should  need  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  to  run  without  his  range,  if  he  were  anchored  !  ' ' 

"  He  plays  a  surer  game  ;  see  you  not  that  the  vessel  we 
made  in  the  eastern  board  shows  the  hull  of  a  frigate? 
'T  is  past  a  doubt  that  they  are  of  one  squadron,  and  that 
the  expresses  have  sent  them  in  our  wake.    The  English  ad 


Zbc  pilot 


409 


miral  has  spread  a  broad  clew  Mr.  Griffith  ;  and,  as  he  gath- 
ers in  his  ships,  he  sees  that  his  game  has  been  successful." 

The  faculties  of  Griffith  had  been  too  much  occupied  with 
the  hurry  of  the  chase  to  look  at  the  ocean  ;  but,  startled  at 
the  information  of  the  Pilot,  who  spoke  coolly,  though  like 
a  man  sensible  of  the  existence  of  approaching  danger,  he 
took  the  glass  from  the  other,  and  with  his  own  eye 
examined  the  different  vessels  in  sight.  It  is  certain  that 
the  experienced  officer,  whose  flag  was  flying  above  the 
light  sails  of  the  three-decker,  saw  the  critical  situation  of 
his  chase,  and  reasoned  much  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
Pilot,  or  the  fearful  expedient  apprehended  by  Griffith 
would  have  been  adopted.  Prudence,  however,  dictated 
that  he  should  prevent  his  enemy  from  escaping  by  pressing 
so  closely  on  his  rear,  as  to  render  it  impossible  for  the 
American  to  haul  across  his  bows  and  run  into  the  open  sea 
between  his  own  vessel  and  the  nearest  frigate  of  his  squad- 
ron. The  unpractised  reader  will  be  able  to  comprehend 
the  case  better  by  accompanying  the  understanding  eye  of 
Griffith,  as  it  glanced  from  point  to  point,  following  the 
whole  horizon.  To  the  west  lay  the  land,  along  which  the 
Alacrity  was  urging  her  way  industriously,  with  the  double 
purpose  of  keeping  her  consort  abeam,  and  of  avoiding  a 
dangerous  proximity  to  their  powerful  enemy.  To  the  east, 
bearing  off  the  starboard  bow  of  the  American  frigate,  was 
the  vessel  first  seen,  and  which  now  began  to  exhibit  the 
hostile  appearance  of  a  ship  of  war,  steering  in  a  line  con- 
verging towards  themselves,  and  rapidly  drawing  nigher  ; 
while  far  in  the  northeast  was  a  vessel  as  yet  faintly  dis- 
cerned, whose  evolutions  could  not  be  mistaken  by  one  who 
understood  the  movements  of  nautical  warfare. 

"  We  are  hemmed  in  effectually,"  said  Griffith,  dropping 
the  glass  from  his  eye  ;  '  *  and  I  know  not  but  our  wisest 
course  would  be  to  haul  in  to  the  land,  and,  cutting  every- 
thing light  adrift,  endeavor  to  pass  the  broadside  of  the  flag- 
ship." 

' '  Provided  she  left  a  rag  of  canvas  to  do  it  with  ! ' ' 
returned  the  Pilot.  Sir,  't  is  an  idle  hope  !  She  would 
strip  your  ship  in  ten  minutes,  to  her  plank  shears.  Had 


410 


Ube  pilot 


it  not  been  for  a  lucky  wave  on  which  so  many  of  her  shot 
struck  and  glanced  upward,  we  should  have  nothing  to  boast 
of  left  from  the  fire  she  has  already  given  ;  we  must  stand 
on,  and  drop  the  three-decker  as  far  as  possible." 

"But  the  frigates?"  said  Griffith,  "what  are  we  to  do 
with  the  frigates  ?  ' ' 

* '  Fight  them  !  ' '  returned  the  Pilot,  in  a  low,  determined 
voice  ;  "  fight  them  !  Young  man,  I  have  borne  the  stars 
and  stripes  aloft  in  greater  straits  than  this,  and  even  with 
honor  !    Think  not  that  my  fortune  will  desert  me  now. ' ' 

' '  We  shall  have  an  hour  of  desperate  battle  !  ' ' 

* '  On  that  we  may  calculate  ;  but  I  have  lived  through 
whole  days  of  bloodshed  !  You  seem  not  one  to  quail  at 
the  sight  of  an  enemy." 

* '  Let  me  proclaim  your  name  to  the  men  !  ' '  said  Griffith  ; 
"  'twill  quicken  their  blood,  and  at  such  a  moment  be  a 
host  in  itself. ' ' 

"They  want  it  not,"  returned  the  Pilot,  checking  the 
hasty  zeal  of  the  other  with  his  hand.  "  I  would  be 
unnoticed,  unless  I  am  known  as  becomes  me.  I  will  share 
your  danger,  but  would  not  rob  you  of  a  tittle  of  your  glory. 
Should  we  come  to  a  grapple, ' '  he  continued,  while  a  smile 
of  conscious  pride  gleamed  across  his  face,  ' '  I  will  give  forth 
the  word  as  a  war-cry,  and,  believe  me,  these  English  will 
quail  before  it !  " 

Griffith  submitted  to  the  stranger's  will ;  and,  after  they 
had  deliberated  further  on  the  nature  of  their  evolutions,  he 
gave  his  attention  again  to  the  management  of  the  vessel. 
The  first  object  which  met  his  eye  on  turning  from  the 
Pilot  was  Colonel  Howard,  pacing  the  quarter-deck  with  a 
determined  brow  and  a  haughty  mien,  as  if  already  in  the 
enjoyment  of  that  triumph  which  now  seemed  certain. 

I  fear,  sir,"  said  the  young  man,  approaching  him  with 
tespect,  "that  you  will  soon  find  the  deck  unpleasant  and 
dangerous  :  your  wards  are — ' ' 

' '  Mention  not  the  unworthy  term  !  ' '  interrupted  the 
colonel.  * '  What  greater  pleasure  can  there  be  than  to 
inhale  the  odor  of  loyalty  that  is  wafted  from  yonder  float- 
ing tower  of  the  king  ?    And  danger  !  you  know  but  little 


XTbe  pilot 


411 


of  old  George  Howard,  young  man,  if  you  think  lie  would 

for  thousands  miss  seeing  that  symbol  of  rebellion  levelled 
before  the  flag  of  his  majesty." 

"If  that  be  your  wish,  Colonel  Howard,"  returned  Grif- 
fith, biting  his  lip,  as  he  looked  around  at  the  wondering 
seamen  who  were  listeners,  * '  you  will  wait  in  vain  ;  but  I 
pledge  you  my  word,  that  when  that  time  arrives,  you  shall 
be  advised,  and  that  your  own  hands  shall  do  the  ignoble 
deed." 

"  Kdward  Griffith,  why  not  this  moment?  This  is  your 
moment  of  probation — submit  to  the  clemency  of  the  crown, 
and  yield  your  crew  to  the  royal  mercy  !  In  such  a  case  I 
would  remember  the  child  of  my  brother  Harry's  friend ; 
and  believe  me,  my  name  is  known  to  the  ministry.  And 
you,  misguided  and  ignorant  abettors  of  rebellion  !  cast 
aside  your  useless  weapons,  or  prepare  to  meet  the  ven- 
geance of  yonder  powerful  and  victorious  servant  of  your 
prince. ' ' 

''Fall  back!  back  with  ye,  fellows!"  cried  Griffith, 
fiercely,  to  the  men  who  were  gathering  around  the  colonel, 
with  looks  of  sullen  vengeance.  **  If  a  man  of  you  dare 
approach  him,  he  shall  be  cast  into  the  sea." 

The  sailors  retreated  at  the  order  of  their  commander  ;  but 
the  elated  veteran  had  continued  to  pace  the  deck  for  many 
minutes  before  stronger  interests  diverted  the  angry  glances 
of  the  seamen  to  other  objects. 

Notwithstanding  the  ship  of  the  line  was  slowly  sinking 
beneath  the  distant  waves,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  from  the 
time  she  had  fired  the  broadside,  no  more  than  one  of  her 
three  tiers  of  guns  was  visible  from  the  deck  of  the  frigate, 
she  yet  presented  an  irresistible  obstacle  against  retreat  to 
the  south.  On  the  other  hand,  the  ship  first  seen  drew  so 
nigh  as  to  render  the  glass  no  longer  necessary  in  watching 
her  movements.  She  proved  to  be  a  frigate,  though  one  so 
materially  lighter  than  the  American,  as  to  have  rendered 
her  conquest  easy,  had  not  her  two  consorts  continued  to 
press  on  for  the  scene  of  battle  with  such  rapidity.  During 
the  chase,  the  scene  had  shifted  from  the  point  opposite  to 
St.  Ruth,  to  the  verge  of  those  shoals  where  our  tale  com- 


412 


XTbe  pilot 


menced.  As  they  approached  the  latter,  the  smallest  of  the 
English  ships  drew  so  nigh  as  to  render  the  combat  un- 
avoidable. Griffith  and  his  crew  had  not  been  idle  in  the 
intermediate  time,  but  all  the  usual  preparations  against  the 
casualties  of  a  sea-fight  had  been  duly  made,  when  the  drum 
once  more  called  the  men  to  their  quarters,  and  the  ship  was 
deliberately  stripped  of  her  unnecessary  sails,  like  a  prize- 
fighter about  to  enter  the  arena,  casting  aside  the  incum- 
brances of  dress.  At  the  instant  she  gave  this  intimation  of 
her  intention  to  abandon  flight,  and  trust  the  issue  to  the 
combat,  the  nearest  English  frigate  also  took  in  her  light 
canvas  in  token  of  her  acceptance  of  the  challenge. 

''He  is  but  a  little  fellow,"  said  Griffith  to  the  Pilot, 
who  hovered  at  his  elbow  with  a  sort  of  fatherly  interest  in 
the  other's  conduct  of  the  battle,  "  though  he  carries  a  stout 
heart." 

"  We  must  crush  him  at  a  blow,"  returned  the  stranger  ; 
* '  not  a  shot  must  be  delivered  until  our  yards  are  locking. ' ' 

"  I  see  him  training  his  twelves  upon  us  already  ;  we  may 
soon  expect  his  fire. ' ' 

' '  After  standing  the  brunt  of  a  ninety-gun  ship, ' '  observed 
the  collected  Pilot,  '  *  we  shall  not  shrink  from  the  broadside 
of  a  two-and-thirty." 

"  Stand  to  your  guns,  men  ! "  cried  Griffith,  through  his 
trumpet ;     not  a  shot  is  to  be  fired  without  the  order." 

This  caution,  so  necessary  to  check  the  ardor  of  the  sea- 
men, was  hardly  uttered,  before  their  enemy  became  wrapped 
in  sheets  of  fire  and  volumes  of  smoke,  as  gun  after  gun 
hurled  its  iron  missiles  at  their  vessel  in  quick  succession. 
Ten  minutes  might  have  passed,  the  two  vessels  sheering 
close  to  each  other  every  foot  they  advanced,  during  which 
time  the  crew  of  the  American  were  compelled,  by  their  com- 
mander, to  suffer  the  fire  of  their  adversary,  without  return- 
ing a  shot.  This  short  period,  which  seemed  an  age  to  the 
seamen,  was  distinguished  in  their  vessel  by  deep  silence. 
Even  the  wounded  and  dying,  who  fell  in  every  part  of  the 
ship,  stifled  their  groans,  under  the  influence  of  the  severe 
discipline,  which  gave  a  character  to  every  man,  and  each 
movement  of  the  vessel ;  and  those  officers  who  were  required 


Ube  pilot 


413 


to  speak,  were  heard  only  in  the  lowest  tones  of  resolute 
preparation.  At  length  the  ship  slowly  entered  the  skirts 
of  the  smoke  that  enveloped  their  enemy  ;  and  Griffith  heard 
the  man  who  stood  at  his  side  whisper  the  word  "  Now." 

*%et  them  have  it!  "  cried  Griffith,  in  a  voice  that  was 
heard  in  the  remotest  parts  of  the  ship. 

The  shout  that  burst  from  the  seamen  appeared  to  lift  the 
decks  of  the  vessel,  and  the  affrighted  frigate  trembled  like 
an  aspen  with  the  recoil  of  her  own  massive  artillery,  that 
shot  forth  a  single  sheet  of  flame,  the  sailors  having  disre- 
garded, in  their  impatience,  the  usual  order  of  firing.  The 
effect  of  the  broadside  on  the  enemy  was  still  more  dreadful  ; 
for  a  deathlike  silence  succeeded  to  the  roar  of  guns,  which 
was  only  broken  by  the  shrieks  and  execrations  that  burst 
from  her,  like  the  moanings  of  the  damned.  During  the  few 
moments  in  which  the  Americans  were  again  loading  theii 
cannon,  and  the  English  were  recovering  from  their  confusion, 
the  vessel  of  the  former  moved  slowly  past  her  antagonist, 
and  was  already  doubling  across  her  bows,  when  the  latter  was 
suddenly,  and,  considering  the  inequality  of  their  forces,  it 
may  be  added  desperately,  headed  into  her  enemy.  The  two 
frigates  grappled.  The  sudden  and  furious  charge  made  by 
the  Englishman,  as  he  threw  his  masses  of  daring  seamen 
along  his  bowsprit,  and  out  of  his  channels,  had  nearly  taken 
Griffith  by  surprise  ;  but  Manual,  who  had  delivered  his  first 
fire  with  the  broadside,  now  did  good  service,  by  ordering 
his  men  to  beat  back  the  intruders,  by  a  steady  and  continued 
discharge.  Even  the  wary  Pilot  lost  sight  of  their  other 
foes,  in  the  high  daring  of  that  moment,  and  smiles  of  stern 
pleasure  were  exchanged  between  him  and  Griffith  as  both 
comprehended,  at  a  glance,  their  advantages. 

"Lash  his  bowsprit  to  our  mizzen-mast,"  shouted  the 
lieutenant,  *  *  and  we  will  sweep  his  decks  as  he  lies  ! ' ' 

Twenty  men  sprang  eagerly  forward  to  execute  the  order, 
among  the  foremost  of  whom  were  Boltrope  and  the  stranger. 

"Ay,  now  he 's  our  own  !  "  cried  the  busy  master,  "  and 
we  will  take  an  owner's  liberties  with  him,  and  break  him 
up — for  by  the  eternal — ' '  • 

"Peace,  rude  man,"  said  the  Pilot,  in  a  voice  of  solemn 


414 


ITbe  pilot 


remonstrance  ;  "  at  the  next  instant  you  may  face  your  God ; 
mock  not  his  awful  name  ! ' ' 

The  master  found  time,  before  he  threw  himself  from  the 
spar  on  the  deck  of  the  frigate  again,  to  cast  a  look  of 
amazement  at  his  companion,  who,  with  a  steady  mien,  but 
with  an  eye  that  lighted  with  a  warrior's  ardor,  viewed  the 
battle  that  raged  around  him,  like  one  who  marked  its  prog- 
ress to  control  the  result. 

The  sight  of  the  Englishmen  rushing  onward  with  shouts 
and  bitter  menaces,  warmed  the  blood  of  Colonel  Howard, 
who  pressed  to  the  side  of  the  frigate,  and  encouraged  his 
friends  by  his  gestures  and  voice,  to  come  on. 

* '  Away  with  ye,  old  croaker  ! ' '  cried  the  master,  seizing 
him  by  the  collar  ;  "  away  with  ye  to  the  hold,  or  I  '11  order 
you  fired  from  a  gun." 

"Down  with  your  arms,  rebellious  dog!"  shouted  the 
colonel,  carried  beyond  himself  by  the  ardor  of  the  fray, 
"  down  to  the  dust,  and  implore  the  mercy  of  your  injured 
prince  !  " 

Invigorated  by  a  momentary  glow,  the  veteran  grappled 
with  his  brawny  antagonist ;  but  the  issue  of  the  short 
struggle  was  yet  superseded,  when  the  English,  driven  back 
by  the  fire  of  the  marines,  and  the  menacing  front  that 
Grifiith  with  his  boarders  presented,  retreated  to  the  forecas- 
tle of  their  own  ship,  and  attempted  to  return  the  deadly 
blows  they  were  receiving,  in  their  hull,  from  the  cannon 
that  Barnstable  directed.  A  solitary  gun  was  all  they  could 
bring  to  bear  on  the  Americans  ;  but  this,  loaded  with  can- 
ister, was  fired  so  near  as  to  send  its  glaring  flame  into  the 
very  faces  of  their  enemies.  The  struggling  colonel,  who 
was  already  sinking  beneath  the  arm  of  his  foe,  felt  the 
rough  grasp  loosen  from  his  throat  at  the  flash,  and  the 
two  combatants  simk  powerless  on  their  knees,  facing  eacb 
other. 

* '  How  now,  brother  !  ' '  exclaimed  Boltrope,  with  a  smile 
of  grim  fierceness  ;  * '  some  of  that  grist  has  gone  to  your 
mill,  ha!" 

No  answer  could,  however,  be  given  before  the  yielding 
forms  of  both  fell  to  the  deck,  where  they  lay  helpless,  amid 


Ube  pilot 


415 


the  din  of  the  battle  and  the  wild  confusion  of  the  eagei 
combatants. 

Notwithstanding  the  furious  struggle  they  had  witnessed, 
the  elements  did  not  cease  their  functions ;  and,  urged  by 
the  breeze,  and  lifted  irresistibly  on  a  wave,  the  American 
ship  was  forced  through  the  water  still  farther  across  the 
bows  of  her  enemy.  The  idle  fastenings  of  hemp  and  iron 
were  snapped  asunder  like  strings  of  tow,  and  Griffith  saw 
his  own  ship  borne  away  from  the  Englishman  at  the 
instant  that  the  bowsprit  of  the  latter  was  torn  from  its 
lashings,  and  tumbled  into  the  sea,  followed  by  spar  after 
spar,  until  nothing  of  all  her  proud  tackling  was  remaining, 
but  the  few  parted  and  useless  ropes  that  were  left  dan- 
gling along  the  stumps  of  her  lower  masts.  As  his  own 
stately  vessel  moved  from  the  confusion  she  had  caused,  and 
left  the  dense  cloud  of  smoke  in  which  her  helpless  an- 
tagonist lay,  the  eye  of  the  young  man  glanced  anxiously 
towards  the  horizon,  where  he  now  remembered  he  had 
more  foes  to  contend  against. 

'  *  We  have  shaken  off  the  thirty- two  most  happily  !  "  he 
said  to  the  Pilot,  who  followed  his  motions  with  singular 
interest ;  ' '  but  here  is  another  fellow  sheering  in  for  us, 
who  shows  as  many  ports  as  ourselves,  and  who  appears 
inclined  for  a  closer  interview ;  besides,  the  hull  of  the 
ninety  is  rising  again,  and  I  fear  she  will  be  down  but  too 
soon  ! ' ' 

We  must  keep  the  use  of  our  braces  and  sails,"  returned 
the  Pilot,  * '  and  on  no  account  close  with  the  other  frigate  ; 
we  muet  play  a  double  game,  sir,  and  fight  this  new  ad- 
versary with  our  heels  as  well  as  with  our  guns. ' ' 

"  'T  is  time  then  that  we  were  busy,  for  he  is  shortening 
sail ;  and  as  he  nears  so  fast,  we  may  expect  to  hear  from 
him  every  minute  ;  what  do  you  propose,  sir  ?  " 

* '  Let  him  gather  in  his  canvas, ' '  returned  the  Pilot ; 
"  and  when  he  thinks  himself  snug,  we  can  throw  out  a 
hundred  men  at  once  upon  our  yards,  and  spread  every- 
thing alow  and  aloft ;  we  may  then  draw  ahead  of  him  by 
surprise ;  if  we  can  once  get  him  in  our  wake,  I  have  no 
fears  of  dropping  them  all." 


4i6 


Ube  pilot 


A  stern  chase  is  a  long  chase,"  cried  Griffith,  and  the 
thing  may  do  !  Clear  up  the  decks,  here,  and  carry  down 
the  wounded  ;  and,  as  we  have  our  hands  full,  the  poor 
fellows  who  have  done  with  us  must  go  overboard  at 
once." 

This  melancholy  duty  was  instantly  attended  to,  while 
the  young  seaman  who  commanded  the  frigate  returned  to 
his  duty,  with  the  absorbed  air  of  one  who  felt  its  high 
responsibility.  These  occupations,  however,  did  not  prevent 
his  hearing  the  sounds  of  Barnstable's  voice  calling  eagerly 
to  young  Merry.  Bending  his  head  towards  the  sound, 
Griffith  beheld  his  friend,  looking  anxiously  up  the  main 
hatch,  with  a  face  grimed  with  smoke,  his  coat  off,  and  his 
shirt  bespattered  with  human  blood.  "Tell  me,  boy,"  he 
said,  * '  is  Mr.  Griffith  untouched  ?  They  say  that  a  shot 
came  in  upon  the  quarter-deck  that  tripped  up  the  heels  of 
half  a  dozen." 

Before  Merry  could  ^  answer,  the  eyes  of  Barnstable, 
which  even  while  he  spoke  were  scanning  the  state  of  the 
vessel's  rigging,  encountered  the  kind  looks  of  Griffith,  and 
from  that  moment  perfect  harmony  was  restored  between 
the  friends. 

' '  Ah  !  you  are  there,  Griff,  and  with  a  whole  skin,  I 
see,"  cried  Barnstable,  smiling  with  pleasure  ;  "they  have 
passed  poor  Boltrope  down  into  one  of  his  own  store- 
rooms !  If  that  fellow's  bowsprit  had  held  on  ten  minutes 
longer,  what  a  mark  I  should  have  made  on  his  face  and 
eyes  !  " 

"'Tis  perhaps  best  as  it  is,"  returned  Griffith;  "but 
what  have  you  done  with  those  whom  we  are  most  bound  to 
protect?" 

Barnstable  made  a  significant  gesture  towards  the  depths 
of  the  vessel,  as  he  answered — 

"  On  the  cables  ;  safe  as  wood,  iron,  and  water  can  keep 
them — though  Katherine  has  had  her  head  up  three  times 
to—" 

A  summons  from  the  Pilot  drew  Griffith  away  ;  and  the 
young  officers  were  compelled  to  forget  their  individual  feel- 
ings, in  the  pressing  duties  of  their  stations. 


tibe  pilot 


417 


The  ship  which  the  American  frigate  had  now  to  oppose 
was  a  vessel  of  near  her  own  size  and  equipage  ;  and  when 
Griffith  looked  at  her  again,  he  perceived  that  she  had  made 
her  preparations  to  assert  her  equality  in  manful  fight. 

Her  sails  had  been  gradually  reduced  to  the  usual  quantity, 
and,  by  certain  movements  on  her  decks,  the  lieutenant  and 
his  constant  attendant,  the  Pilot,  well  understood  that  she 
only  wanted  to  lessen  her  distance  a  few  hundred  yards  to 
begin  the  action, 

*  *  Now  spread  everything, ' '  whispered  the  stranger. 

Griffith  applied  the  trumpet  to  his  mouth,  and  shouted  in 
a  voice  that  was  carried  even  to  his  enemy,  ' '  I^et  fall — out 
with  your  booms — sheet  home — hoist  away  of  every- 
thing!" 

The  inspiring  cry  was  answered  by  a  universal  bustle ; 
fifty  men  flew  out  on  the  dizzy  heights  of  the  different  spars, 
while  broad  sheets  of  canvas  rose  as  suddenly  along  the 
masts,  as  if  some  mighty  bird  were  spreading  its  wings. 
The  Englishman  instantly  perceived  his  mistake,  and  he 
answered  the  artifice  by  a  roar  of  artillery.  Griffith  watched 
the  efiects  of  the  broadside  with  an  absorbing  interest,  as  the 
shot  whistled  above  his  head ;  but  when  he  perceived  his 
masts  untouched,  and  the  few  unimportant  ropes  only  that 
were  cut,  he  replied  to  the  uproar  with  a  burst  of  pleasure. 
A  few  men  were,  however,  seen  clinging  with  wild  frenzy  to 
the  cordage,  dropping  from  rope  to  rope  like  wounded  birds 
fluttering  through  a  tree,  imtil  they  fell  heavily  into  the 
ocean,  the  sullen  ship  sweeping  by  them  in  cold  indifference. 
At  the  next  instant  the  spars  and  masts  of  their  enemy  ex- 
hibited a  display  of  men  similar  to  their  own,  when  Griffith 
again  placed  the  trumpet  to  his  mouth,  and  shouted  aloud — 

* '  Give  it  to  them  ;  drive  them  from  their  yards,  boys 
scatter  them  with  your  grape — unreeve  their  rigging  ! ' ' 

The  crew  of  the  American  wanted  but  little  encouragement 

to  enter  on  this  experiment  with  hearty  good- will,  and  the 

close  of  his  cheering  words  were  uttered  amid  the  deafening 

roar  of  his  own  cannon.    The  Pilot  had,  however,  mistaken 

the  skill  and  readiness  of  their  foe  ;  for,  notwithstanding  the 

disadvantageous  cir<  \ustances  under  which  the  Englishman 
27 


4i8 


Hbe  pilot 


increased  his  sail,  the  duty  was  steadily  and  dexterously 
performed. 

The  two  ships  were  now  running  rapidly  on  parallel  lines, 
hurling  at  each  other  their  instruments  of  destruction  with 
furious  industry,  and  with  severe  and  certain  loss  to  both, 
though  with  no  manifest  advantage  in  favor  of  either.  Both 
Griffith  and  the  Pilot  witnessed  with  deep  concern  this  unex- 
pected defeat  of  their  hopes  ;  for  they  could  not  conceal  from 
themselves,  that  each  moment  lessened  their  velocity  through 
the  water,  as  the  shot  of  their  enemy  stripped  the  canvas 
from  the  yards,  or  dashed  aside  the  lighter  spars  in  their 
terrible  progress. 

'  *  We  find  our  equal  here  ! ' '  said  Griffith  to  the  stranger. 
' '  The  ninety  is  heaving  up  again  like  a  mountain  ;  and  if  we 
continue  to  shorten  sail  at  this  rate,  she  will  soon  be  down 
upon  us  !  " 

"You  say  true,  sir,"  returned  the  Pilot,  musing;  "the 
man  shows  judgment  as  well  as  spirit :  but — " 

He  was  interrupted  by  Merry,  who  rushed  from  the  for- 
ward part  of  the  vessel,  his  whole  face  betokening  the  eager- 
ness of  his  spirit,  and  the  importance  of  his  intelligence. 

' '  The  breakers  !  "  he  cried,  when  nigh  enough  to  be  heard 
amid  the  din  ;  "  we  are  running  dead  on  a  ripple,  and  the 
sea  is  white  not  two  hundred  yards  ahead." 

The  Pilot  jumped  on  a  gun,  and  bending  to  catch  a  glimpse 
through  the  smoke,  he  shouted,  in  those  clear,  piercing  tones, 
that  could  be  even  heard  among  the  roaring  of  the  cannon, 
"  Port,  port  your  helm  !  we  are  on  the  Devil's  Grip  !  pass 
up  the  trumpet,  sir ;  port  your  helm,  fellow ;  give  it  them, 
boys — give  it  to  the  proud  English  dogs  !  ' ' 

Griffith  unhesitatingly  relinquished  the  symbol  of  his 
rank,  fastening  his  own  firm  look  on  the  calm  but  quick  eye 
of  the  Pilot,  and  gathering  assurance  from  the  high  confi- 
dence he  read  in  the  countenance  of  the  stranger.  The  sea- 
men were  too  busy  with  their  cannon  and  their  rigging  to 
regard  the  new  danger  ;  and  the  frigate  entered  one  of  the 
dangerous  passes  of  the  shoals,  in  the  heat  of  a  severely  con- 
tested battle.  The  wondering  looks  of  a  few  of  the  older 
Bailors  glanced  at  the  sheets  of  foam  that  flew  by  them,  in 


Ube  pilot 


419 


doubt  whether  the  wild  gambols  of  the  waves  were  occa- 
sioned by  the  shot  of  the  enemy,  when  suddenly  the  noise  of 
cannon  was  succeeded  by  the  sullen  wash  of  the  disturbed 
element,  and  presently  the  vessel  glided  out  of  her  smoky 
shroud,  and  was  boldly  steering  in  the  centre  of  the  narrow 
passages.  For  ten  breathless  minutes  longer  the  Pilot  con- 
tinued to  hold  an  uninterrupted  sway,  during  which  the  ves- 
sel ran  swiftly  by  ripples  and  breakers,  by  streaks  of  foam 
and  darker  passages  of  deep  water,  when  he  threw  down  his 
trumpet  and  exclaimed — 

* '  What  threatened  to  be  our  destruction  has  proved  our 
salvation  !  Keep  yonder  hill  crowned  with  wood,  one  point 
open  from  the  church  tower  at  its  base,  and  steer  east  by 
north  ;  you  will  run  through  these  shoals  on  that  course  in 
an  hour,  and  by  so  doing  you  will  gain  five  leagues  of  your 
enemy,  who  will  have  to  double  their  tail. ' ' 

The  moment  he  stepped  from  the  gun,  the  Pilot  lost  the 
air  of  authority  that  had  so  singularly  distinguished  his  ani- 
mated form,  and  even  the  close  interest  he  had  manifested  in 
the  incidents  of  the  day  became  lost  in  the  cold,  settled  re- 
serve he  had  affected  during  his  intercourse  with  his  present 
associates.  Every  officer  in  the  ship,  after  the  breathless 
suspense  of  uncertainty  had  passed,  rushed  to  those  places 
where  a  view  might  be  taken  of  their  enemies.  The  ninety 
was  still  steering  boldly  onward,  and  had  already  approached 
the  two-and- thirty,  which  lay  a  helpless  wreck,  rolling  on 
the  unruly  seas  that  were  rudely  tossing  her  on  their  wanton 
billows.  The  frigate  last  engaged  was  running  along  the 
edge  of  the  ripple,  with  her  torn  sails  flying  loosely  in  the 
air,  her  ragged  spars  tottering  in  the  bieeze,  and  everything 
above  her  hull  exhibiting  the  confusion  of  a  sudden  and  un- 
looked-for check  to  her  progress.  The  exulting  taunts  and 
mirthful  congratulations  of  the  seamen,  as  they  gazed  at  the 
English  ships,  were,  however,  soon  forgotten  in  the  atten- 
tion that  was  required  to  their  own  vessel.  The  drums  beat 
the  retreat,  the  guns  were  lashed,  the  wounded  again 
removed,  and  every  individual  able  to  keep  the  deck  was 
required  to  lend  his  assistance  in  repairing  the  damages  of 
the  frigate  and  securing  her  masts. 


420 


XTbe  IPilot 


The  promised  hour  carried  the  ship  safely  through  all  the 
dangers,  which  were  much  lessened  by  daylight ;  and  by  the 
time  the  sun  had  begun  to  fall  over  the  land,  Griffith,  who 
had  not  quitted  the  deck  during  the  day,  beheld  his  vessel 
once  more  cleared  of  the  confusion  of  the  chase  and  battle, 
and  ready  to  meet  another  foe.  At  this  period  he  was  sum- 
moned to  the  cabin,  at  the  request  of  the  ship's  chaplain. 
Delivering  the  charge  of  the  frigate  to  Barnstable,  who  had 
been  his  active  assistant,  no  less  in  their  subsequent  labors 
than  in  the  combat,  he  hastily  divested  himself  of  the  vestiges 
of  the  fight,  and  proceeded  to  obey  the  repeated  and  earnest 
call. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


"Whither,  'midst  falling  dew, 
While  glow  the  heavens  with  the  last  steps  of  day, 
Far  through  their  rosy  depths,  dost  thou  pursue 

Thy  solitary  way  ?  " 


Bryant. 


w 


HEN  the  young  seaman  who  now  commanded 
the  frigate  descended  from  the  quarter-deck  in 
compliance  with  the  often-repeated  summons, 
he  found  the  vessel  restored  to  the  same  neat- 


ness as  if  nothing  had  occurred  to  disturb  its  order.  The 
gun-deck  had  been  cleansed  of  its  horrid  stains,  and  the 
smoke  of  the  fight  had  long  since  ascended  through  the 
hatches  and  mingled  with  the  clouds  that  flitted  above  the 
ship.  As  he  walked  along  the  silent  batteries,  even  the 
urgency  of  his  visit  could  not  prevent  him  from  glancing 
his  eyes  towards  the  splintered  sides,  those  terrible  vestiges, 
by  which  the  paths  of  the  shot  of  their  enemy  might  be 
traced  ;  and  by  the  time  he  tapped  lightly  at  the  door  of 
the  cabin,  his  quick  look  had  embraced  every  material 
injury  the  vessel  had  sustained  in  her  principal  points  of 
defence. 

The  door  was  opened  by  the  surgeon  of  the  frigate,  who, 
as  he  stepped  aside  to  permit  Griffith  to  enter,  shook  his 
\iead  with  that  air  of  meaning,  which,  in  one  of  his  profes- 
sion, is  understood  to  imply  the  abandonment  of  all  hopes, 
and  then  immediately  quitted  the  apartment,  in  order  to 
attend  to  those  who  might  profit  by  his  services. 

The  reader  is  not  to  imagine  that  Griffith  had  lost  sight 
of  Cecilia  and  her  cousin  during  the  occurrences  of  that 
eventful  day :  on   the  contrary,  his  troubled  fancy  had 


422 


XTbe  ptlot 


presented  her  terror  and  distress,  even  in  the  hottest  mo- 
ments of  the  fight ;  and  the  instant  that  the  crew  were 
called  from  their  guns  he  had  issued  an  order  to  replace  the 
bulk-heads  of  the  cabin,  and  to  arrange  its  furniture  for 
their  accommodation,  though  the  higher  and  imperious 
duties  of  his  station  had  precluded  his  attending  to  their 
comfort  in  person.  He  expected,  therefore,  to  find  the 
order  of  the  rooms  restored  ;  but  he  was  by  no  means  pre- 
pared to  encounter  the  scene  he  was  now  to  witness. 

Between  two  of  the  sullen  cannon,  which  gave  such  an 
air  of  singular  wildness  to  the  real  comfort  of  the  cabin, 
was  placed  a  large  couch,  on  which  the  colonel  was  lying, 
evidently  near  his  end.  Cecilia  was  weeping  by  his  side, 
her  dark  ringlets  falling  in  unheeded  confusion  around  her 
pale  features,  and  sweeping  in  their  rich  exuberance  the 
deck  on  w^hich  she  kneeled.  Katherine  leaned  tenderly 
over  the  form  of  the  dying  veteran,  while  her  dark,  tearful 
eyes  seemed  to  express  self- accusation  blended  with  deep 
commiseration.  A  few  attendants  of  both  sexes  surrounded 
the  solemn  scene,  all  of  whom  appeared  to  be  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  hopeless  intelligence  which  the  medical  officer 
had  but  that  moment  communicated.  The  servants  of  the 
ship  had  replaced  the  furniture  with  a  care  that  mocked  the 
dreadful  struggle  that  so  recently  disfigured  the  warlike 
apartment,  and  the  stout  square  frame  of  Boltrope  occupied 
the  opposite  settee,  his  head  resting  on  the  lap  of  the  cap- 
tain's steward,  and  his  hand  gently  held  in  the  grasp  of 
his  friend  the  chaplain.  Griffith  had  heard  of  the  wound 
of  the  master,  but  his  own  eyes  now  conveyed  the  first 
intelligence  of  the  situation  of  Colonel  Howard.  When 
the  shock  of  this  sudden  discovery  had  a  little  subsided, 
the  young  man  approached  the  couch  of  the  latter,  and 
attempted  to  express  his  regret  and  pity,  in  a  voice  that 
afibrded  an  assurance  of  his  sincerity. 

**Say  no  more,  Edward  Griffith,"  interrupted  the  colonel, 
waving  his  hand  feebly  for  silence ;  "it  seemeth  to  be  the 
will  of  God  that  this  rebellion  should  triumph,  and  it  is  not 
for  vain  man  to  impeach  the  acts  of  Omnipotence.  To  my 
erring  faculties,  it  wears  an  appearance  of  mystery,  but 


XTbe  pilot 


423 


doubtless  it  is  to  answer  the  purpose  of  his  own  inscrutable 
providence.  I  have  sent  for  you,  Edward,  on  a  business 
that  I  would  fain  see  accomplished  before  I  die,  that  it  may 
not  be  said  that  old  George  Howard  neglected  his  duty  even 
in  his  last  moments.  You  see  this  weeping  child  at  my 
side  ;  tell  me,  young  man,  do  you  love  the  maiden  ?  ' ' 

*  *  Am  I  to  be  asked  such  a  question  ? ' '  exclaimed  Griffith. 

' '  And  will  you  cherish  her — will  you  supply  to  her  the 
places  of  father  and  mother — will  you  become  the  fond 
guardian  of  her  innocence  and  weakness  ?  ' ' 

Griffith  could  give  no  other  answer  than  a  fervent  pressure 
of  the  hand  he  had  clasped. 

"I  believe  you,"  continued  the  dying  man;  "for  how- 
ever he  may  have  forgotten  to  inculcate  his  own  loyalty, 
worthy  Hugh  Griffith  could  never  neglect  to  make  his  son 
a  man  of  honor.  I  had  weak  and  perhaps  evil  wishes  in 
behalf  of  my  late  unfortunate  kinsman.  Mi  Christopher 
Dillon  ;  but  they  have  told  me  that  he  was  false  to  his 
faith.  If  this  be  true,  I  would  refuse  him  the  hand  of  the 
girl,  though  he  claimed  the  fealty  of  the  British  realms. 
But  he  has  passed  away,  and  I  am  about  to  follow  him  into 
a  world  where  we  shall  find  but  one  Lord  to  serve ;  and  it 
may  have  been  better  for  us  both  had  we  more  remembered 
our  duty  to  Him,  while  serving  the  princes  of  the  earth. 
One  thing  ftuther — know  you  this  officer  of  your  Congress 
well — this  Mr.  Barnstable  ?  ' ' 

**Ihave  sailed  with  him  for  years,"  returned  Griffith, 
' '  and  can  answer  for  him  as  myself. ' ' 

The  veteran  made  an  effort  to  rise,  which  in  part  suc- 
ceeded, and  he  fastened  on  the  youth  a  look  of  keen  scru- 
tiny, that  gave  to  his  pallid  features  an  expression  of  solemn 
meaning,  as  he  continued — 

Speak  not  now,  sir,  as  the  companion  of  his  idle  pleas- 
ures, and  as  the  unthinking  associate  commends  his  fellow, 
but  remember  that  your  opinion  is  given  to  a  dying  man 
who  leans  on  your  judgment  for  advice.  The  daughter  of 
John  Plowden  is  a  trust  not  to  be  neglected,  nor  will  my 
death  prove  easy,  if  a  doubt  of  her  being  worthily  bestowed 
shall  remain." 


424 


XCbe  pilot 


**  He  is  a  gentleman,"  returned  Griffith,  '*  and  one  whose 
heart  is  not  less  kind  than  gallant ;  he  loves  your  ward, 
and  great  as  may  be  her  merit,  he  is  deserving  of  it  all. 
Like  myself,  he  has  also  loved  the  land  that  gave  him  birth, 
before  the  land  of  his  ancestors  but — ' ' 

' '  That  is  now  forgotten, ' '  interrupted  the  colonel ;  ' '  after 
what  I  have  this  day  witnessed,  I  am  forced  to  believe  that 
it  is  the  pleasure  of  Heaven  that  you  are  to  prevail  !  But, 
sir,  a  disobedient  inferior  will  be  apt  to  make  an  unreason- 
able commander.    The  recent  contention  between  you — " 

"  Remember  it  not,  dear  sir,"  exclaimed  Griffith  with  gen- 
erous zeal ;  'twas  unkindly  provoked,  and  it  is  already  for- 
gotten and  pardoned.  He  has  sustained  me  nobly  throughout 
the  day,  and  my  life  on  it,  that  he  knows  how  to  treat  a 
woman  as  a  brave  man  should  !" 

"Then  am  I  content!"  said  the  veteran,  sinking  back 
on  his  couch  ;     let  him  be  summoned." 

The  whispered  message  which  Griffith  gave,  requesting 
Mr.  Barnstable  to  enter  the  cabin,  was  quickly  conveyed, 
and  he  had  appeared  before  his  friend  deemed  it  discreet 
to  disturb  the  reflections  of  the  veteran  b)'-  again  address- 
ing him.  When  the  entrance  of  the  young  sailor  was  an- 
nounced, the  colonel  again  roused  himself,  and  addressed 
his  wondering  listener,  though  in  a  manner  much  less  confid- 
ing and  familiar  than  that  which  he  had  adopted  towards 
Griffith. 

''The  declarations  you  made  last  night  relative  to  my 
ward,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Captain  John  Plowden,  sir, 
have  left  me  nothing  to  learn  on  the  subject  of  your  wishes. 
Here,  then,  gentlemen,  you  both  obtain  the  reward  of  your 
attentions  !  Let  that  reverend  divine  hear  you  pronounce 
the  marriage  vows,  while  I  have  strength  to  listen,  that  I 
may  be  a  witness  against  ye,  in  heaven,  should  ye  forget 
their  tenor  !  " 

''  Not  now,  not  now,"  murmured  Cecilia  ;  "  O  ask  it  not 
now,  my  uncle  !  " 

Katherine  spoke  not ;  but,  deeply  touched  by  the  tender 
interest  her  guardian  manifested  in  her  welfare,  she  bowed 
her  face  to  her  bosom,  in  subdued  feeling,  and  suffered  the 


Zbc  pilot 


425 


tears  that  had  been  suffusing  her  eyes  to  roll  down  her 
cheeks  in  large  drops,  till  they  bathed  the  deck. 

"Yes,  now,  my  love,"  continued  the  colonel,  "  or  I  fail 
in  my  duty.  I  go  shortly  to  stand  face  to  face  with  your 
parents,  my  children  ;  for  the  man  who,  dying,  expects  not 
to  meet  worthy  Hugh  Griffith  and  honest  Jack  Plowden  in 
heaven,  can  have  no  clear  view  of  the  rewards  that  belong 
to  lives  of  faithful  service  to  the  country,  or  of  gallant  loy- 
alty to  the  king  !  I  trust  no  one  can  justly  say  that  I  ever 
forgot  the  delicacy  due  to  your  gentle  sex  ;  but  it  is  no 
moment  for  idle  ceremony  when  time  is  shortening  into 
minutes,  and  heavy  duties  remain  to  be  discharged.  I  could 
not  die  in  peace,  children,  were  I  to  leave  you  here  in  the  wide 
ocean,  I  had  almost  said  in  the  wide  world,  without  that  pro- 
tection which  becomes  your  tender  years  and  still  more  tender 
characters.  If  it  has  pleased  God  to  remove  your  guardian, 
let  his  place  be  supplied  by  those  He  wills  to  succeed  him  ! ' ' 

Cecilia  no  longer  hesitated,  but  she  arose  slowly  from  her 
knees,  and  offered  her  hand  to  Griffith  with  an  air  of  forced 
resignation.  Katherine  submitted  to  be  led  by  Barnstable 
to  her  side ;  and  the  chaplain,  who  had  been  an  affected 
listener  to  the  dialogue,  in  obedience  to  an  expressive  signal 
from  the  eye  of  Griffith,  opened  the  prayer-book  from  which 
he  had  been  gleaning  consolation  for  the  dying  master,  and 
commenced  reading,  in  trembling  tones,  the  marriage  ser- 
vice. The  vows  were  pronounced  by  the  weeping  brides  in 
voices  more  distinct  and  audible  than  if  they  had  beea 
uttered  amid  the  gay  crowds  that  usually  throng  a  bridal  ; 
for  though  they  were  the  irreclaimable  words  that  bound 
them  forever  to  the  men  whose  power  over  their  feelings 
they  thus  proclaimed  to  the  world,  the  reserve  of  maiden 
diffidence  was  lost  in  one  engrossing  emotion  of  solemnity, 
created  by  the  awful  presence  in  which  they  stood.  When 
the  benediction  was  pronoimced,  the  head  of  Cicilia  dropped 
on  the  shoulder  of  her  husband,  where  she  wept  violently, 
for  a  moment,  and  then  resuming  her  place  at  the  couch, 
she  once  more  knelt  at  the  side  of  her  uncle.  Katherine 
received  the  warm  kiss  of  Barnstable  passively,  and  returned 
to  the  spot  whence  she  had  been  led. 


426 


Ube  pilot 


Colonel  Howard  succeeded  in  raising  his  person  to  wit 
ness  the  ceremony,  and  had  answered  to  each  prayer  with  a 
fervent  "Amen."  He  fell  back  with  the  last  words;  and 
a  look  of  satisfaction  shone  in  his  aged  and  pallid  features, 
that  declared  the  interest  he  had  taken  in  the  scene. 

"I  thank  you,  my  children,"  he  at  length  uttered,  ''I 
thank  you  ;  for  I  know  how  much  you  have  sacrificed  to 
my  wishes.  You  will  find  all  of  my  papers  relative  to  the 
estates  of  my  wards,  gentlemen,  in  the  hands  of  my  banker 
in  I^ondon  ;  and  you  will  also  find  there  my  will,  Edward, 
by  which  you  will  learn  that  Cicely  has  not  come  to  your 
arms  an  unportioned  bride.  What  my  wards  are  in  persons 
and  manners  your  eyes  can  witness,  and  I  trust  the  vouchers 
in  London  will  show  that  I  have  not  been  an  unfaithful 
steward  to  their  pecuniary  afiairs  ! ' ' 

"  Name  it  not — say  no  more,  or  you  will  break  my  heart," 
cried  Katherine,  sobbing  aloud,  in  the  violence  of  her  re- 
morse at  having  ever  pained  so  true  a  friend.  ' '  O  !  talk  of 
yourself,  think  of  yourself;  we  are  unworthy — at  least  I  am 
unworthy,  of  another  thought ! ' ' 

The  dying  man  extended  a  hand  to  her  in  kindness,  and 
continued,  though  his  voice  grew  feebler  as  he  spoke — 

' '  Then  to  return  to  myself — I  would  wish  to  lie,  like  my 
ancestors,  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth,  and  in  consecrated 
ground." 

* '  It  shall  be  done, ' '  whispered  Grifiith  ;  ' '  I  will  see  it 
done  myself." 

"I  thank  thee,  my  son,"  said  the  veteran,  **for  such 
thou  art  to  me  in  being  the  husband  of  Cicely  ;  ' '  you  will 
find,  in  my  will,  that  I  have  liberated  and  provided  for  all 
my  slaves — except  those  ungrateful  scoundrels  who  deserted 
their  master ;  they  have  seized  their  own  freedom,  and  they 
need  not  be  indebted  to  me  for  the  same.  There  is,  Edward, 
also  an  unworthy  legacy  to  the  king  ;  his  majesty  will  deign 
to  receive  it — from  an  old  and  faithful  servant,  and  you  will 
not  miss  the  trifling  gift."  A  long  pause  followed,  as  if  he 
had  been  summing  up  the  account  of  his  earthly  duties,  and 
found  them  duly  balanced,  when  he  added,  * '  Kiss  me.  Cicely 
—and  you,  Katherine — I  find  you  have  the  genuine  feelings 


Ube  pilot 


427 


of  honest  Jack,  your  father.  My  eyes  grow  dim — which  is 
the  hand  of  Griffith  ?  Young  gentleman,  I  have  given  you  all 
that  a  fond  old  man  had  to  bestow — deal  tenderly  with  the 
precious  child — we  have  not  properly  understood  each  other 
' — I  had  mistaken  both  you  and  Mr.  Christopher  Dillon,  I 
Relieve  ;  perhaps  I  may  also  have  mistaken  my  duty  to 
America — but  I  was  too  old  to  change  my  politics  or  my 
religion  ;  I — I — I  loved  the  king — God  bless  him — ' ' 

His  words  became  fainter  and  fainter  as  he  proceeded,  and 
the  breath  deserted  his  body  with  this  benediction  on  his 
livid  lips,  which  the  proudest  monarch  might  covet  from  so 
honest  a  man. 

The  body  was  instantly  borne  into  a  state-room  by  the  at- 
tendants ;  and  Griffith  and  Barnstable  supported  their  brides 
into  the  after-cabin,  where  they  left  them  seated  on  the  sofa 
that  lined  the  stern  of  the  ship,  weeping  bitterly,  in  each 
other's  arms. 

No  part  of  the  preceding  scene  had  been  unobserved  by 
Boltrope,  whose  small,  hard  eyes  were  observed  by  the 
young  men  to  twinkle,  when  they  returned  into  the  state 
apartment  ;  and  they  approached  their  wounded  comrade  to 
apologize  for  the  seeming  neglect  that  their  conduct  had 
displayed. 

"  I  heard  you  were  hurt,  Boltrope,"  said  Griffith,  taking 
him  kindly  by  the  hand  ;  ' '  but  as  I  know  you  are  not  un- 
used to  being  marked  by  shot,  I  trust  we  shall  soon  see  you 
again  on  deck." 

''Ay,  ay,"  returned  the  master,  *'you  '11  want  no  spy- 
glasses to  see  the  old  hulk  as  you  launch  it  into  the  sea.  I 
have  had  shot,  as  you  say,  before  now  to  tear  my  running 
gear,  and  even  to  knock  a  splinter  out  of  some  of  my  tim- 
bers ;  but  this  fellow  has  found  his  way  into  my  bread-room  ; 
and  the  cruise  of  life  is  up  !  " 

Surely  the  case  is  not  so  bad,  honest  David,"  said  Barn- 
stable ;  ' '  you  have  kept  afloat,  to  my  knowledge,  with  a 
bigger  hole  in  your  skin  than  this  unlucky  hit  has  made  ! ' ' 

"Ay,  ay,"  returned  the  master,  "  that  was  in  my  upper 
works,  where  the  doctor  could  get  at  it  with  a  plug ;  but 
this  chap  has  knocked  away  the  shifting-boards,  and  I  feel 


428 


Ube  pilot 


as  if  the  whole  cargo  was  broken  up.  You  may  say  that 
Tourniquet  rates  me  all  the  same  as  a  dead  man ;  for  after 
looking  at  the  shot-hole,  he  has  turned  me  over  to  the  parson 
here,  like  a  piece  of  old  junk  which  is  only  fit  to  be  worked 
up  into  something  new.  Captain  Munson  had  a  lucky  time 
of  it !  I  think  you  said,  Mr.  Griffith,  that  the  old  gentleman 
was  launched  overboard  with  everything  standing,  and  that 
Death  made  but  one  rap  at  his  door,  before  he  took  his 
leave  !  ' ' 

'  *  His  end  was  indeed  sudden  ! ' '  returned  Griffith  ;  ' '  but 
it  is  what  we  seamen  must  expect. ' ' 

* '  And  for  which  there  is  so  much  the  more  occasion  to  be 
prepared,"  the  chaplain  ventured  to  add,  in  a  low,  humble, 
and,  perhaps,  timid  voice. 

The  sailing-master  looked  keenly  from  one  to  the  other  as 
they  spoke  ;  and,  after  a  short  pause,  he  continued,  with  an 
air  of  great  submission — 

'T  was  his  luck  ;  and  I  suppose  it  is  sinful  to  begrudge  a 
man  his  lawful  luck.  As  for  being  prepared,  parson,  that  is 
your  business,  and  not  mine  ;  therefore,  as  there  is  but  little 
time  to  spare,  why,  the  sooner  you  set  about  it  the  better : 
and,  to  save  unnecessary  trouble,  I  may  as  well  tell  you  not 
to  strive  to  make  too  much  of  me  ;  for,  I  must  own  it  to  my 
shame,  I  never  took  learning  kindly.  If  you  can  fit  me  for 
some  middling  berth  in  the  other  world,  like  the  one  I  hold 
in  this  ship,  it  will  suit  me  as  well,  and,  perhaps,  be  easier  to 
all  hands  of  us. ' ' 

If  there  was  a  shade  of  displeasure  blended  with  the  sur- 
prise that  crossed  the  features  of  the  divine  at  this  extraor- 
dinary limitation  of  his  duties,  it  entirely  disappeared  when 
he  considered  more  closely  the  perfect  expression  of  sim- 
plicity with  which  the  dying  master  uttered  his  wishes. 
After  a  long  and  melancholy  pause,  which  neither  Griffith 
nor  his  friend  felt  any  inclination  to  interrupt,  the  chaplain 
replied — 

"  It  is  not  the  province  of  man  to  determine  on  the  decrees 
of  the  merciful  dispensations  of  Deity  ;  and  nothing  that  I 
can  do,  Mr.  Boltrope,  will  have  any  weight  in  making  up 
the  mighty  and  irrevocable  decree.    What  I  said  to  you  last 


Ubc  pilot 


429 


night,  in  our  conversation  on  this  very  subject,  must  still  be 
fresh  in  your  memory,  and  there  is  no  good  reason  why  I 
should  hold  a  different  language  to  you  now. ' ' 

"  I  can't  say  that  I  logged  all  that  passed,"  returned  the 
master  ;  ' '  and  that  which  I  do  recollect  fell  chiefly  from  my- 
self, for  the  plain  reason  that  a  man  remembers  his  own  bet- 
ter than  his  neighbor's  ideas.  And  this  puts  me  in  mind, 
Mr.  Griffith,  to  tell  you,  that  one  of  the  forty-two's  from  the 
three-decker  travelled  across  the  forecastle,  and  cut  the  best 
bower  within  a  fathom  of  the  clinch,  as  handily  as  an  old 
woman  would  clip  her  rotten  yarn  with  a  pair  of  tailor's 
shears  !  If  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  order  one  of  m}^  mates  to 
shift  the  cable  end-for-end,  and  make  a  new  bend  of  it,  I  '11 
do  as  much  for  you  another  time." 

' '  Mention  it  not, ' '  said  Griffith  ;  * '  rest  assured  that  every 
thing  shall  be  done  for  the  security  of  the  ship  in  your  de- 
partment— I  will  superintend  the  whole  duty  in  person,  and 
I  would  have  you  release  your  mind  from  all  anxiety  on  the 
subject,  to  attend  to  your  more  important  interests  else- 
where." 

"Why,"  returned  Boltrope,  with  a  little  show  of  perti- 
nacity, "  I  have  an  opinion,  that  the  cleaner  a  man  takes  his 
hands  into  the  other  world,  of  matters  of  duty  in  this,  the 
better  he  will  be  fitted  to  handle  anything  new.  Now,  the 
parson,  here,  undertook  to  lay  down  the  doctrine  last  night, 
that  it  was  no  matter  how  well  or  how  ill  a  man  behaved 
himself,  so  that  he  squared  his  conscience  by  the  lifts  and 
braces  of  faith  ;  which  I  take  to  be  a  doctrine  that  is  not  to 
be  preached  on  shipboard  ;  for  it  would  play  the  devil  with 
the  best  ship's  company  that  was  ever  mustered." 

'  *  Oh  !  no — no — dear  Mr.  Boltrope,  you  mistook  me  and 
my  doctrine  altogether!"  exclaimed  the  chaplain;  "at 
least  you  mistook — ' ' 

"  Perhaps,  sir,"  interrupted  GriiSith,  gently,  "  our  honest 
friend  will  not  be  more  fortunate  now.  Is  there  nothing 
earthly  that  hangs  upon  your  mind,  Boltrope  ?  no  wish  to  be 
remembered  to  any  one,  nor  any  bequest  to  make  of  your 
property  ?  ' ' 

"He  has  a  mother,  I  know,"  said  Barnstable,  in  a  low 


430 


TTbe  pilot 


voice  ;  "he  often  spoke  of  her  to  me  in  the  night  watches  ;  1 
think  she  must  still  be  living. ' ' 

The  master,  who  distinctly  heard  his  young  shipmates, 
continued  for  more  than  a  minute  rolling  the  tobacco,  which 
he  still  retained,  from  one  side  of  his  mouth  to  the  other, 
with  an  industry  that  denoted  singular  agitation  for  the 
man  ;  and  raising  one  of  his  broad  hands,  with  the  other  he 
picked  the  worn  skin  from  his  fingers  which  were  already 
losing  their  brownish  yellow  hue  in  the  fading  color  of  death, 
before  he  answered — 

Why,  yes,  the  old  woman  still  keeps  her  grip  upon  life, 
which  is  more  than  can  be  said  of  her  son  David.  The 
old  man  was  lost  the  time  the  Susan  and  Dorothy  was 
wrecked  on  the  back  of  Cape  Cod  ;  you  remember  it,  Mr. 
Barnstable?  you  were  then  a  lad,  sailing  on  whaling  voy- 
ages from  the  island :  well,  ever  since  that  gale,  I  've  en- 
deavored to  make  smooth  water  for  the  old  woman  myself, 
though  she  has  had  but  a  rough  passage  of  it  at  the  best  ; 
the  voyage  of  life,  with  her,  having  been  pretty  much 
crossed  by  rugged  weather  and  short  stores. ' ' 

* '  And  you  would  have  us  carry  some  message  to  her  ?  ' ' 
said  Grifiith,  kindly. 

*'Why,  as  to  messages,"  continued  the  master,  whose 
voice  was  rapidly  growing  more  husky  and  broken,  * '  there 
never  has  been  many  compliments — passed  between  us,  for 
the  reason — that  she  is  not  more  used  to  receive  them — 
than  I  am  to  make  them.  But  if  any  one  of  you  will  over 
haul — the  purser's  books,  and  see  what  there  is  standing 
there — to  my  side  of  the  leaf — and  take  a  little  pains  to  get 
it  to  the  old  woman — you  will  find  her  moored  in  the  lee 
side  of  a  house — ay,  here  it  is.  No.  lo,  Cornhill,  Boston. 
I  took  care — to  get  her  a  good  warm  berth,  seeing  that  a 
woman  of  eighty  wants  a  snug  anchorage — at  her  time  of  life, 
if  ever." 

"  I  will  do  it  myself,  David,"  cried  Barnstable,  struggling 
to  conceal  his  emotion  ;  * '  I  will  call  on  her  the  instant  we 
let  go  our  anchor  in  Boston  harbor;  and  as  your  credit 
can't  be  large,  I  will  divide  my  own  purse  with  her  !  " 

The  sailing-master  was  powerfully  affected  by  this  kind 


Ubc  pilot 


431 


offer,  the  muscles  of  his  hard,  weather-beaten  face  working 
convulsively,  and  it  was  a  moment  before  he  could  trust  his 
voice  in  reply. 

"I  know  you  would,  Dicky,  I  know  you  would,"  he  at 
length  uttered,  grasping  the  hand  of  Barnstable  with  a  por- 
tion of  his  former  strength  ;  '  *  I  know  you  would  give  the 
old  woman  one  of  your  own  limbs,  if  it  would  do  a  service — 
to  the  mother  of  a  messmate — which  it  would  not — ^see- 
ing that  I  am  not  the  son  of  a — cannibal ;  but  you  are  out 
of  your  father's  books,  audit  's  too  often  shoal  water  in  your 
own  pockets  to  help  any  one — more  especially  since  you 
have  just  been  spliced  to  a  pretty  young  body — that  will 
want  all  your  spare  coppers." 

'  *  But  I  am  master  of  my  own  fortune, ' '  said  Griffith, 

and  am  rich." 

* '  Ay,  ay,  I  have  heard  it  said  you  could  build  a  frigate 
and  set  her  afloat  all  a-taunt-o  without  thrusting  your  hand 
— into  any  man's  purse — but  your  own  !  " 

"And  I  pledge  you  the  honor  of  a  naval  officer,"  con- 
tinued the  young  sailor,  that  she  shall  want  for  nothing ; 
not  even  the  care  and  tenderness  of  a  dutiful  son." 

Boltrope  appeared  to  be  choking ;  he  made  an  attempt 
to  raise  his  exhausted  frame  on  the  couch ;  but  fell  back 
exhausted  and  dying,  perhaps  a  little  prematurely,  through 
the  powerful  and  unusual  emotions  that  were  struggling  for 
utterance.  * '  God  forgive  me  my  misdeeds  !  "  he  at  length 
said,  ' '  and  chiefly  for  ever  speaking  a  word  against  your  dis- 
cipline ;  remember  the  best  bower — and  look  to  the  slings 
of  the  lower  yards — and — and — he  '11  do  it,  Dicky,  he  '11 
do  it  !  I 'm  casting  off — the  fasts — of  life — and  so  God 
bless  ye  all — and  give  ye  good  weather — going  large — or 
on  a  bowline  !  " 

The  tongue  of  the  master  failed  him,  but  a  look  of  heart- 
felt satisfaction  gleamed  across  his  rough  visage,  as  its  mus- 
cles suddenly  contracted,  when  the  faded  lineaments  slowly 
settled  into  the  appalling  stiffness  of  death. 

Griffith  directed  the  body  to  be  moved  to  the  apartment 
of  the  master,  and  proceeded  with  a  heavy  heart  to  the 
upper  deck.    The  Alacrity  had  been  unnoticed  during  the 


432 


Ubc  pilot 


arduous  chase  of  the  frigate,  and,  favored  by  daylight,  and 
her  light  draught  of  water,  she  had  easily  effected  her  es- 
cape also  among  the  mazes  of  the  shoals.  She  was  called 
down  to  her  consort  by  signal,  and  received  the  necessary 
instructions  how  to  steer  during  the  approaching  night. 
The  British  ships  were  now  only  to  be  faintly  discovered, 
like  small  white  specks  on  the  dark  sea  ;  and  as  it  was 
known  that  a  broad  barrier  of  shallow  water  lay  between 
them,  the  Americans  no  longer  regarded  their  presence  as 
at  all  dangerous. 

When  the  necessary  orders  had  been  given,  and  the  ves- 
sels were  fully  prepared,  they  were  once  more  brought  up 
to  the  wind,  and  their  heads  pointed  in  the  direction  of  the 
coast  of  Holland.  The  wind,  which  freshened  towards  the 
decline  of  day,  hauled  round  with  the  sun  ;  and  when  that 
luminary  retreated  from  the  eye,  so  rapid  had  been  the 
progress  of  the  mariners,  it  seemed  to  sink  in  the  bosom 
of  the  ocean,  the  land  having  long  before  settled  into  its 
watery  bed.  All  night  the  frigate  continued  to  dash 
through  the  seas  with  a  sort  of  sullen  silence,  that  was 
soothing  to  the  melancholy  of  Cecilia  and  Katherine, 
neither  of  whom  closed  an  eye  during  that  gloomy  period. 
In  addition  to  the  scene  they  had  witnessed,  their  feelings 
were  harrowed  by  the  knowledge  that,  in  conformity  to  the 
necessary  plans  of  Griffith,  and  in  compliance  with  the  new 
duties  he  had  assumed,  they  were  to  separate  in  the  morn- 
ing for  an  indefinite  period,  and  possibly  forever. 

With  the  appearance  of  light,  the  boatswain  sent  his 
rough  summons  through  the  vessel,  and  the  crew  were  col- 
lected in  solemn  silence  in  her  gangways  to  ' '  bury  the 
dead. ' '  The  bodies  of  Boltrope,  of  one  or  two  of  her  in- 
ferior officers,  and  of  several  common  men  who  had  died  of 
their  wounds  in  the  night,  were,  with  usual  formalities,  com- 
mitted to  the  deep  ;  when  the  yards  of  the  ship  were  again 
braced  by  the  wind,  and  she  glided  along  the  trackless 
waste,  leaving  no  memorial,  in  the  midst  of  the  ever-rolling 
waters,  to  mark  the  place  of  their  sepulture. 

When  the  sun  had  gained  the  meridian,  the  vessels  were 
once  more  hove-to,  and  the  preparations  were  made  for  a 


XTbe  pilot 


433 


final  separation.  The  body  of  Colonel  Howard  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Alacrity,  whither  it  was  followed  by  Griffith 
and  his  cheerless  bride,  while  Katherine  hung  fondly  from  a 
window  of  the  ship,  suffering  her  own  scalding  tears  to 
mingle  with  the  brine  of  the  ocean.  After  everything  was 
arranged,  Griffith  waved  his  hand  to  Barnstable,  who  had 
now  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  frigate,  and  the  yards 
of  the  latter  were  braced  sharp  to  the  wind,  when  she 
proceeded  to  the  dangerous  experiment  of  forcyig  her  way 
to  the  shores  of  America,  by  attempting  the  pass  of  the 
Straits  of  Dover,  and  running  the  gauntlet  through  the 
English  ships  that  crowded  their  own  channel ;  an  under- 
taking, however,  for  which  she  had  the  successful  example 
of  the  Alliance  frigate,  which  had  borne  the  stars  of  Amer- 
ica along  the  same  hazardous  path  but  a  few  months  pre- 
viously. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  Alacrity,  steering  more  to  the  west, 
drew  in  swiftly  towards  the  shores  of  Holland ;  and  about 
an  hour  before  the  setting  of  the  sun,  had  approached  so 
nigh  as  to  be  once  more  hove  into  the  wind,  in  obedience  to 
the  mandate  of  Griffith.  A  small  light  boat  was  lowered 
into  the  sea,  when  the  young  sailor,  and  the  Pilot,  who  had 
found  his  way  into  the  cutter  unheeded,  and  almost  unseen, 
ascended  from  the  small  cabin  together.  The  stranger 
glanced  his  eyes  along  the  range  of  coast,  as  if  he  would 
ascertain  the  exact  position  of  the  vessel,  and  then  turned 
them  on  the  sea  and  the  western  horizon  to  scan  the  weather. 
Finding  nothing  in  the  appearance  of  the  latter  to  induce 
him  to  change  his  determination,  he  offered  his  hand  frankly 
to  Griffith,  and  said — 

* '  Here  we  part.  As  our  acquaintance  has  not  led  to  all 
we  wished,  let  it  be  your  task,  sir,  to  forget  we  ever  met." 

Griffith  bowed  respectfully,  but  in  silence,  when  the  other 
continued,  shaking  his  hand  contemptuously  towards  the 
land — 

' '  Had  I  but  a  moiety  of  the  navy  of  that  degenerate 

republic,  the  proudest  among  those  haughty  islanders  should 

tremble  in  his  castle,  and  be  made  to  feel  there  is  no  security 

against  a  foe  that  trusts  his  own  strength  and  knows  the 
38 


434 


Ube  pilot 


weakness  of  his  enemy  !  But, ' '  lie  muttered  in  a  lower  and 
more  hurried  voice,  '  *  this  has  been  like  lyiverpool — and 
Whitehaven — and  Edinburgh,  and  fifty  more  :  it  is  past,  sir  ; 
let  it  be  forgotten." 

Without  heeding  the  wondering  crew,  who  were  collected 
as  curious  spectators  of  his  departure,  the  stranger  bowed 
hastily  to  Grifi&th,  and  springing  into  the  boat,  he  spread 
her  light  sails  with  the  readiness  of  one  who  had  nothing  to 
learn  even  in  the  smallest  matters  of  his  daring  profession. 
Once  more,  as  the  boat  moved  briskly  away  from  the  cutter, 
he  waved  his  hand  in  adieu  ;  and  Griffith  fancied  that  even 
through  the  distance  he  could  trace  a  smile  of  bitter  resig- 
nation lighting  his  calm  features  with  a  momentary  gleam. 
For  a  long  time  the  young  man  stood  an  abstracted  gazer 
at  his  solitary  progress,  watching  the  small  boat  as  it  glided 
towards  the  open  ocean,  nor  did  he  remember  to  order  the 
head  sheets  of  the  Alacrity  drawn,  in  order  to  put  the  ves- 
sel again  in  motion,  until  the  dark  speck  was  lost  in  the 
strong  glare  that  fell  obliquely  across  the  water  from  the 
setting  sun. 

Many  wild  and  extraordinary  conjectures  were  uttered 
among  the  crew  of  the  cutter,  as  she  slowly  drew  in  towards 
her  friendly  haven,  on  the  appearance  of  the  mysterious 
Pilot,  during  their  late  hazardous  visit  to  the  coast  of 
Britain,  and  on  his  still  more  extraordinary  disappearance, 
as  it  were,  amid  the  stormy  wastes  of  the  North  Sea, 
Griffith  himself  was  not  observed  to  smile,  nor  to  manifest 
any  evidence  of  his  being  a  listener  to  their  rude  discourse, 
until  it  was  loudly  announced  that  a  small  boat  was  pressing 
for  their  own  harbor,  across  the  fore  foot  of  the  cutter, 
under  a  single  lug-sail.  Then,  indeed,  the  sudden  and 
cheerful  lighting  of  his  troubled  eye  betrayed  the  vast 
relief  that  was  imparted  to  his  feelings  by  the  interesting 
discovery. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 


"  Come  all  you  kindred  chieftains  of  the  deep, 
In  mighty  phalanx  round  your  brother  bend ; 
Hush  every  murmur  that  invades  his  sleep, — 
And  guard  the  laurels  that  o'ershade  your  friend  ! " 

Lines  on  Tripp. 

HERE,  perhaps,  it  would  be  wise  to  sufifer  the  cur- 
tain of  our  imperfect  drama  to  fall  before  the 
reader,  trusting  that  the  imagination  of  every 
individual  can  readily  supply  the  due  proportions 
of  health,  wealth,  and  happiness,  that  the  rigid  rules  of 
poetic  justice  would  award  to  the  different  characters  of  the 
legend.  But  as  we  are  not  disposed  to  part  so  coldly  from 
those  with  whom  we  have  long  held  amicable  intercourse, 
and  as  there  is  no  portion  of  that  in  reservation  which  is  not 
quite  as  true  as  all  that  has  been  already  related,  we  see  no 
unanswerable  reason  for  dismissing  the  dramatis  persons  so 
abruptly.  We  shall,  therefore,  proceed  to  state  briefly  the 
outlines  of  that  which  befell  them  in  after  life,  regretting,  at 
the  same  time,  that  the  legitimate  limits  of  a  modem  tale 
will  not  admit  of  such  a  dilatation  of  many  a  merry  or  strik- 
ing scene,  as  might  create  the  pleasing  hope  of  beholding 
hereafter  some  more  of  our  rude  sketches  quickened  into  life 
by  the  spirited  pencil  of  Dunlap. 

Following  the  course  of  the  frigate,  then,  towards  those 
shores  from  which,  perhaps,  we  should  never  have  suffered 
our  truant  pen  to  have  wandered,  we  shall  commence  the 
brief  task  with  Barnstable,  and  his  laughing,  weeping,  gay, 
but  affectionate  bride — the  black-eyed  Katherine.  The 
ship  fought  her  way,  gallantly,  through  swarms  of  the 

435 


43^ 


XTbe  pilot 


enemy's  cruisers,  to  the  port  of  Boston,  where  Barnstable 
was  rewarded  for  his  services  by  promotion,  and  a  more 
regular  authority  to  command  his  vessel. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  war,  he  continued  to  fill  that 
station  with  ability  and  zeal ;  nor  did  he  return  to  the  dwel- 
ling of  his  fathers,  which  he  soon  inherited,  by  regular 
descent,  until  after  peace  had  established  not  only  the  inde- 
pendence of  his  coimtry,  but  his  own  reputation  as  a  brave 
and  successful  sea-officer.  When  the  federal  government 
laid  the  foundation  of  its  present  navy,  Captain  Barnstable 
was  once  more  tempted  by  the  ofier  of  a  new  commission  to 
desert  his  home ;  and  for  many  years  he  was  employed 
among  that  band  of  gallant  seamen  who  served  their  coun- 
try so  faithfully  in  times  of  trial  and  high  daring.  Happily, 
however,  he  was  enabled  to  accomplish  a  great  deal  of  the 
more  peaceful  part  of  his  service  accompanied  by  Katherine, 
who,  having  no  children,  eagerly  profited  by  his  consent  to 
share  his  privations  and  hardships  on  the  ocean.  In  this 
manner  they  passed  merrily,  and  we  trust  happily,  down 
the  vale  of  life  together,  Katherine  entirely  discrediting  the 
ironical  prediction  of  her  former  guardian,  by  making,  every- 
thing considered,  a  very  obedient,  and  certainly,  so  far  as 
attachment  was  concerned,  a  most  devoted  wife. 

The  boy  Merry,  who  in  due  time  became  a  man,  clung  to 
Barnstable  and  Katherine,  so  long  as  it  was  necessary  to 
hold  him  in  leading  strings  ;  and  when  he  received  his 
regular  promotion,  his  first  command  was  under  the  shadow 
of  his  kinsman' s  broad  pendant.  He  proved  to  be  in  his 
meridian,  what  his  youth  had  so  strongly  indicated,  a  fear- 
less, active,  and  reckless  sailor  ;  and  his  years  might  have 
extended  to  this  hour,  had  he  not  fallen  untimely  in  a  duel 
with  a  foreign  officer. 

The  first  act  of  Captain  Manual,  after  landing  once  more 
on  his  native  soil,  was  to  make  interest  to  be  again  restored 
to  the  line  of  the  army.  He  encountered  but  little  difficulty 
in  this  attempt,  and  was  soon  in  possession  of  the  complete 
enjoyment  of  that  which  his  soul  had  so  long  pined  after, 
"a  steady  drill."  He  was  in  time  to  share  in  all  the  splen- 
did successes  which  terminated  the  war,  and  also  to  participate 


Ubc  pilot 


437 


in  his  due  proportion  of  the  misery  of  the  army.  His  merits 
were  not  forgotten,  however,  in  the  re-organization  of  the 
forces,  and  he  followed  both  St.  Clair  and  his  more  fortu- 
nate successor,  Wayne,  in  the  western  campaigns.  About  the 
close  of  the  century,  when  the  British  made  their  tardy  re- 
linquishment of  the  line  of  posts  along  the  frontiers.  Captain 
Manual  was  ordered  to  take  charge,  with  his  company,  of  a 
small  stockade  on  our  side  of  one  of  those  mighty  rivers 
that  set  bounds  to  the  territories  of  the  Republic  in  the 
north.  The  British  flag  was  waving  over  the  ramparts  of  a 
more  regular  fortress,  that  had  been  recently  built,  directly 
opposite,  within  the  new  lines  of  the  Canadas.  Manual  was 
not  a  man  to  neglect  the  observances  of  military  etiquette  ; 
and  understanding  that  the  neighboring  fort  was  commanded 
by  a  field-officer,  he  did  not  fail  to  wait  on  that  gentleman, 
in  proper  time,  with  a  view  to  cultivate  the  sort  of  acquain- 
tance that  their  mutual  situations  would  render  not  only 
agreeable,  but  highly  convenient.  The  American  martinet, 
in  ascertaining  the  rank  of  the  other,  had  not  deemed  it  at 
all  necessary  to  ask  his  name  ;  but  when  the  red-faced,  comi- 
cal-looking officer  with  one  leg,  who  met  him,  was  intro- 
duced as  Major  Borroughcliffe,  he  had  not  the  least  difficulty 
in  recalling  to  recollection  his  quondam  acquaintance  of  St. 
Ruth.  The  intercourse  between  these  worthies  was  renewed 
with  remarkable  gusto,  and  at  length  arrived  to  so  regular  a 
pass,  that  a  log-cabin  was  erected  on  one  of  the  islands  in 
the  river,  as  a  sort  of  neutral  territory,  where  their  feastings 
and  revels  might  be  held  without  any  scandal  to  the  disci- 
pline of  their  respective  garrisons.  Here  the  qualities  of 
many  a  saddle  of  savory  venison  were  discussed,  together 
with  those  of  sundry  pleasant  fowls,  as  well  as  of  divers 
strange  beasts  that  inhabit  those  western  v^lds,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  the  secret  places  of  the  broad  river  were  vexed, 
that  nothing  might  be  wanting  that  could  contribute  to  the 
pleasures  of  their  banquets.  A  most  equitable  levy  was 
regularly  made  on  their  respective  pockets,  to  sustain  the 
foreign  expenses  of  this  amicable  warfare  ;  and  a  suitable 
division  of  labor  was  also  imposed  on  the  two  commandants, 
in  order  to  procure  such  articles  of  comfort  as  were  only  to 


438 


XTbe  pilot 


be  obtained  from  those  portions  of  the  globe  where  the  art 
of  man  had  made  a  nearer  approach  to  the  bounties  of  na- 
ture than  in  the  vicinity  of  their  fortifications.  All  liquids 
in  which  malt  formed  an  ingredient,  as  well  as  the  deep- 
colored  wines  of  Oporto,  were  suffered  to  enter  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence,  and  were  made  to  find  their  way,  under  the 
superintendence  of  Borroughcliffe,  to  their  destined  goal ; 
but  Manual  was  solely  intrusted  with  the  more  important 
duty  of  providing  the  generous  liquor  of  the  Madeira,  with- 
out any  other  restriction  on  his  j  udgment,  than  an  occasional 
injunction  from  his  coadjutor  that  it  should  not  fail  to  be  the 
product  of  the  '  *  south-side  ! ' ' 

It  was  not  unusual  for  the  young  officers  of  the  two  garri- 
sons to  allude  to  the  battle  in  which  Major  Borroughcliffe 
had  lost  his  limb — the  English  ensign  invariably  whispering 
to  the  American,  on  such  occasions,  that  it  occurred  during 
the  late  contest,  in  a  desperate  affair  on  the  northeastern 
coast  of  their  island,  in  which  the  major  commanded,  in  be- 
half of  his  country,  with  great  credit  and  signal  success  ;  and 
for  which  service  he  obtained  his  present  rank  "  without 
|jurchase  "  !  A  sort  of  national  courtesy  prevented  the  two 
veterans,  for  by  this  time  both  had  earned  that  honorable 
title,  from  participating  at  all  in  these  delicate  allusions ; 
though  whenever,  by  any  accident,  they  occurred  near  the 
termination  of  the  revels,  Borroughcliffe  would  so  far  betray 
his  consciousness  of  what  was  passing,  as  to  favor  his  Ameri- 
can friend  with  a  leer  of  singular  significance,  which  gener- 
ally produced  in  the  other  that  sort  of  dull  recollection, 
which  all  actors  and  painters  endeavor  to  represent  by 
scratching  the  head.  In  this  manner  year  after  year  rolled 
by,  the  most  perfect  harmony  existing  between  the  two 
posts,  notwithstanding  the  angry  passions  that  disturbed 
their  respective  countries,  when  an  end  was  suddenly  put  to 
the  intercourse  by  the  unfortunate  death  of  Manual.  This 
rigid  observer  of  discipline  never  trusted  his  person  on  the 
neutral  island  without  being  accompanied  by  a  party  of  his 
warriors,  who  were  posted  as  a  regular  picket  sustaining  a 
suitable  line  of  sentries  ;  a  practice  which  he  also  recom- 
mended to  his  friend,  as  being  highly  conducive  to  disci- 


Ube  pilot 


439 


pHne,  as  well  as  a  salutary  caution  against  a  surprise  on  the 
part  of  either  garrison.  The  major,  however,  dispensed 
with  the  formality  in  his  own  behalf,  but  was  sufiiciently 
good-natured  to  wink  at  the  want  of  confidence  it  betrayed 
in  his  boon  companion.  On  one  unhappy  occasion  when 
the  discussion  of  a  new  importation  had  made  a  heavy  in- 
road on  the  morning.  Manual  left  the  hut  to  make  his  way 
towards  his  picket,  in  such  a  state  of  utter  mental  aberration, 
as  to  forget  the  countersign  when  challenged  by  a  sentinel, 
when,  tmhappily,  he  met  his  death  by  a  shot  from  a  soldier, 
whom  he  had  drilled  to  such  an  exquisite  state  of  insensibility, 
that  the  man  cared  but  little  whether  he  killed  friend  or 
enemy,  so  long  as  he  kept  within  military  usage,  and  the 
hallowed  limits  established  by  the  articles  of  war.  He  lived 
long  enough,  however,  to  commend  the  fellow  for  the  deed, 
and  died  while  delivering  a  eulogium  to  Borroughcliflfe  on  the 
high  state  of  perfection  to  which  he  had  brought  his  com-< 
mand  ! 

About  a  year  before  this  melancholy  event,  a  quarter^ 
cask  of  wine  had  been  duly  ordered  from  the  south- side  of 
the  island  of  Madeira,  which  was,  at  the  death  of  Manual, 
toiling  its  weary  way  up  the  rapids  of  the  Mississippi  and 
the  Ohio  ;  having  been  made  to  enter  by  the  port  of  New 
Orleans,  with  the  intention  of  keeping  it  as  long  as  possible 
under  a  genial  sun  !  The  untimely  fate  of  his  friend  im- 
posed on  BorroughclifFe  the  necessity  of  attending  to  this 
precious  relic  of  their  mutual  tastes  :  and  he  procured  a 
leave  of  absence  from  his  superior,  with  the  laudable  desire 
to  proceed  down  the  streams  and  superintend  its  farther 
advance  in  person.  The  result  of  his  zeal  was  a  high  fever, 
that  set  in  the  day  after  he  reached  his  treasure :  and  as 
the  doctor  and  the  major  espoused  different  theories,  in 
treating  a  disorder  so  dangerous  in  that  climate — the  one 
advising  abstemiousness,  and  the  other  administering  re- 
peated draughts  of  the  cordial  that  had  drawn  him  so  far 
from  home — the  disease  was  left  to  act  its  pleasure.  Bor- 
roughcliffe  died  in  three  days ;  and  was  carried  back  and 
interred  by  the  side  of  his  friend,  in  the  very  hut  which  had 
so  often  resounded  with  their  humors  and  festivities  !  We 


440 


Ube  pilot 


have  been  thus  particular  in  relating  the  sequel  of  the  liveiS 
of  these  rival  chieftains,  because,  from  their  want  of  con- 
lection  with  any  kind  heart  of  the  other  sex,  no  widows 
and  orphans  were  left  to  lament  their  several  ends  ;  and 
furthermore,  as  they  were  both  mortal,  and  might  be  ex- 
pected to  die  at  a  suitable  period,  and  yet  did  not  terminate 
their  career  until  each  had  attained  the  mature  age  of  three- 
score, the  reader  can  find  no  just  grounds  of  dissatisfaction 
at  being  allowed  this  deep  glance  into  the  womb  of  fate. 

The  chaplain  abandoned  the  seas  in  time  to  retrieve  his 
character,  a  circumstance  which  gave  no  little  satisfaction 
to  Katherine,  who  occasionally  annoyed  her  worthy  husband 
on  the  subject  of  the  informality  of  their  marriage. 

Griffith  and  his  mourning  bride  conveyed  the  body  of 
Colonel  Howard  in  safety  to  one  of  the  principal  towns  in 
Holland,  where  it  was  respectfully  and  sorrowfully  interred  ; 
after  which  the  young  man  removed  to  Paris,  with  a  view 
of  erasing  the  sad  images,  which  the  hiu'ried  and  melancholy 
events  of  the  few  preceding  days  had  left  on  the  mind  of 
his  lovely  companion.  From  this  place  Cecilia  held  com- 
munion, by  letter,  with  her  friend  Alice  Dunscombe  ;  and 
such  suitable  provision  was  made  in  the  affairs  of  her  late 
uncle  as  the  times  would  permit.  Afterwards,  when  Grif- 
fith obtained  the  command  which  had  been  offered  him  be- 
fore sailing  on  the  cruise  in  the  North  Sea,  they  returned 
together  to  America.  The  young  man  continued  a  sailor 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  entirely  withdrew  from 
the  ocean,  and  devoted  the  remainder  of  his  life  to  the  con- 
joint duties  of  a  husband  and  a  good  citizen. 

As  it  was  easy  to  reclaim  the  estates  of  Colonel  Howard, 
which,  in  fact,  had  been  abandoned  more  from  pride  tha^ 
necessity,  and  which  had  never  been  confiscated,  their  joint 
inheritances  made  the  young  couple  extremely  affluent ;  an^ 
we  shall  here  take  occasion  to  say,  that  Griffith  remembered 
his  promise  to  the  dying  master,  and  saw  such  a  provision 
made  for  the  childless  mother  as  her  situation  and  his  char- 
acter required. 

It  might  have  been  some  twelve  years  after  the  short 
cruise,  which  it  has  been  our  task  to  record  in  these  vol- 


xrbe  pilot 


44^ 


umes,  that  Griffith,  who  was  running  his  eyes  carelessly 
over  a  file  of  newspapers,  was  observed  by  his  wife  to  drop 
che  bundle  from  before  his  face,  and  pass  his  hand  slowly 
across  his  brow,  like  a  man  who  had  been  suddenly  struck 
with  renewed  impressions  of  some  former  event,  or  who 
was  endeavoring  to  recall  to  his  mind  images  that  had  long 
since  faded. 

* '  See  you  anything  in  that  paper  to  disturb  you,  Grif- 
fith ?  "  said  the  still  lovely  Cecilia.  "  I  hope  that  now  we 
have  our  confederate  government  the  States  will  soon  re- 
cover from  their  losses — but  it  is  one  of  those  plans  to  create 
a  new  navy  that  has  met  your  eye.  Ah  !  truant  !  you  sigh 
to  become  a  wanderer  again,  and  pine  after  your  beloved 
ocean  !  " 

' '  I  have  ceased  sighing  and  pining  since  you  have  begun 
to  smile, ' '  he  returned  with  a  vacant  manner,  and  without 
removing  his  hand  from  his  brow. 

Is  not  the  new  order  of  things,  then,  likely  to  succeed  ? 
Does  the  Congress  enter  into  contention  with  the  President  ?  ' ' 

' '  The  wisdom  and  name  of  Washington  will  smooth  the 
way  for  the  experiment,  until  time  shall  mature  the  system. 
Cecilia,  do  you  remember  the  man  who  accompanied  Man- 
ual and  myself  to  St.  Ruth,  the  night  we  became  your 
uncle's  prisoners,  and  who  afterwards  led  the  party  which 
liberated  us,  and  rescued  Barnstable?  " 

* '  Surely  I  do  :  he  was  the  pilot  of  your  ship,  it  was  then 
said  ;  and  I  remember  the  shrewd  soldier  we  entertained 
even  suspected  that  he  was  one  greater  than  he  seemed. ' ' 

*  *  The  soldier  surmised  the  truth  :  but  you  saw  him  not 
on  that  fearful  night,  when  he  carried  us  through  the  shoals  ! 
and  you  could  not  witness  the  calm  courage  with  which  he 
guided  the  ship  into  those  very  channels  again,  while  the 
confusion  of  battle  was  among  us  !  " 

* '  I  heard  the  dreadful  din  !  And  I  can  easily  imagine 
the  horrid  scene,"  returned  his  wife,  her  recollections  chasing 
the  color  from  her  cheeks  even  at  that  distance  of  time ; 
**  but  what  of  him  ?  is  his  name  mentioned  in  those  papers  ! 
Ah  !  they  are  English  prints !  you  called  his  name  Gray, 
if  I  remember?  *' 


44» 


XTbe  Ipilot 


"  That  was  the  name  he  bore  with  us  !  he  was  a  man  who 
had  formed  romantic  notions  of  glory,  and  wished  every- 
thing concealed  in  which  he  acted  a  part  that  he  thought 
would  not  contribute  to  his  renown.  It  has  been,  therefore, 
in  compliance  with  a  solemn  promise  made  at  the  time,  that 
I  have  ever  avoided  mentioning  his  name — he  is  now  dead  ! ' ' 

' '  Can  there  have  been  any  connection  between  him  and 
Alice  Dunscombe  ?  "  said  Cecilia,  dropping  her  work  in  her 
lap,  in  a  thoughtful  manner.  * '  She  met  him  alone,  at  her 
own  urgent  request,  the  night  Katherine  and  myself  saw 
you  in  your  confinement,  and  even  then  my  cousin  whis- 
pered that  they  were  acquainted  !  The  letter  I  received 
yesterday  from  Alice  was  sealed  with  black,  and  I  was 
pained  with  the  melancholy,  though  gentle  manner,  in 
which  she  wrote  of  passing  from  this  world  into  another  ! ' ' 

Grifiith  glanced  his  eye  at  his  wife  with  a  look  of  sudden 
intelligence,  and  then  answered,  like  one  who  began  to  see 
with  the  advantages  of  a  clearer  atmosphere — 

"Cecilia  your  conjecture  is  surely  true!  Fifty  things 
rush  to  my  mind  at  that  one  surmise ;  his  acquaintance 
with  that  particular  spot — his  early  life — his  expedition — ■ 
his  knowledge  of  the  Abbey,  all  confirm  it !  He,  altogether, 
was  indeed  a  man  of  marked  character  ! ' ' 

' '  Why  has  he  not  been  among  us  ?  "  asked  Cecilia  ;  * '  he 
appeared  devoted  to  our  cause. ' ' 

''His  devotion  to  America  proceeded  from  desire  of  dis- 
tinction, his  ruling  passion,  and  perhaps  a  little  also  from 
resentment  at  some  injustice  which  he  claimed  to  have 
suffered  from  his  own  countrymen.  He  was  a  man,  and 
not  therefore  without  foibles — among  which  may  have 
been  reckoned  the  estimation  of  his  own  acts ;  but  they 
were  most  daring,  and  deserving  of  praise !  neither  did  he 
at  all  merit  the  obloquy  that  he  received  from  his  enemies. 
His  love  of  liberty  may  be  more  questionable  ;  for  if  he  com- 
menced his  deeds  in  the  cause  of  these  free  States,  they  ter- 
minated in  the  service  of  a  despot !  He  is  now  dead — but 
had  he  Uved  in  times  and  under  circumstances  when  his 
consummate  knowledge  of  his  profession,  his  cool,  deliber- 
ate, and  even  desperate  courage,  could  have  been  exercised 


Ube  pilot 


443 


in  a  regular  and  well-supported  navy,  and  had  the  habits 
of  his  youth  better  qualified  him  to  have  borne,  meekly,  the 
honors  he  acquired  in  his  age,  he  would  have  left  behind 
him  no  name  in  its  lists  that  would  have  descended  to  the 
latest  posterity  of  his  adopted  countrymen  with  greater 
renown  !  " 

"Why,  Grifiith,"  exclaimed  Cecilia,  in  a  little  surprise, 
* '  you  are  zealous  in  his  cause  !    Who  was  he  ?  " 

"  A  man  who  held  a  promise  of  secrecy  while  living, 
which  is  not  at  all  released  by  his  death.  It  is  enough  to 
know,  that  he  was  greatly  instrumental  in  procuring  our 
sudden  union,  and  that  our  happiness  might  have  been 
wrecked  in  the  voyage  of  life  had  we  not  met  the  unknown 
Pilot  of  the  German  Ocean." 

Perceiving  her  husband  to  rise,  and  carefully  collect  the 
papers  in  a  bundle,  before  he  left  the  room,  Cecilia  made  no 
further  remark  at  the  time,  nor  was  the  subject  ever  revived 
between  them. 


^^1 


r 


